Sri Lankan app-based taxi service, PickMe Sri Lanka has expressed hope that the Police will take necessary action against local three-wheeler drivers harassing other app-based taxi drivers.
Issuing a statement, PickMe Sri Lanka said action is needed to ensure the safety of their driver partners and bring about a permanent solution to the threat by local three-wheeler mafias in various areas.
“The right intervention is urgently needed to protect the rights of passengers and safeguard drivers,” it added.
The statement comes after a PickMe driver was recently harassed by local three-wheeler drivers for transporting foreign tourists in Galle. The incident had been recorded by two foreign tourist passengers and had been widely shared on various social media platforms.
Many local social media users condemned the incident, calling for the three-wheeler mafias to be severely dealt with, as it could be detrimental to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
Full statement by PickMe:
The recent verbal attack on a PickMe driver, by tuk drivers in Galle and the police investigation that followed, is encouraging and a step in the right direction. The three-wheeler service is, in fact, a public transport system that acts as a last-mile transport solution for passengers.
Given that these disruptive acts of threats and intimidation by one section of drivers can, apart from tarnishing the tourism industry, seriously damage the reputation of a well-run second-tier public transport system of this country.
App-based taxi-hailing services have created a platform for fair pricing and stable market conditions. This was clearly visible in the said incident where even visitors to the country no longer wish to haggle with three-wheeler drivers on the road. It is the overseas visitors’ preference to go with the app-based taxi-hailing option that caused grief to the PickMe driver.
What is even more disturbing is that tourists are recording and sharing these incidents on social media. What damage it will do to our tourism industry is anybody’s guess.
While this incident is unfortunate, it showcases an ugly side to those operating this form of transport service. However, we firmly believe that this is done by a small section of the service providers who try to operate their services in a mafia-style, through threats and intimidation.
In the past, we had had many reports from the PickMe network of such bullying, especially in Kandy, Ella, Galle, Unawatuna, and Negombo Hotel Road areas. Unfortunately, drivers on the PickMe network are reluctant to make a complaint to the police as they fear repercussions on the road by this mafia.
Now that the situation is being made public by overseas visitors, it is more serious and we fervently hope the police will take necessary action to ensure the safety of our driver partners and bring about a permanent solution to this matter. The right intervention is urgently needed to protect the rights of passengers and safeguard drivers. (NewsWire)