BENGALURU: A Bengaluru based cab-sharing startup that provides last-mile connectivity, mainly for Metro passengers, is facing threats from autorickshaw drivers near Indiranagar station.

Loca Rides, an app-based service offers Rs 15-Rs 25 fare per passenger for up to 5km to and from Indiranagar Metro station, has allegedly been threatened by an autorickshaw union that claims to “own” the stand and is upset at losing customers.

“On August 8, a group of

near Indiranagar station disrupted our service by blocking the entire road adjacent to the station. They prevented our drivers from taking passengers, physically blocked access to the cars and threatened to damage them. We shut down the service that morning keeping in mind everyone’s safety,” said Gautam Patil, CEO and co-founder of Loca Rides.

He added, “We filed a complaint at Indiranagar police station that day and auto drivers were summoned. We were asked to move our pick-up point (near the station) to a different location so that it’s further away from the auto stand. Despite the inconvenience, we complied with the request and resumed operations the next day.”

He claimed that on September 9, a larger group, including some brandishing iron rods, disrupted the service again. “This time, they physically damaged cars by kicking, hitting and scratching windshields with keys. They threatened further damage if the vehicles came near the pick-up location. We again had to suspend the service that morning,” said Patil.

Patil said they went back to Indiranagar police, but were again asked to move the pick-up location to a different place. “This time too we acted as per police directive and tried to resume operations on Tuesday. But the same story was repeated. The auto drivers went to the location where cars were parked, away from the pick-up point, and threatened drivers. When some of them attempted to take customers, they blocked their way on the main road (CMH Road, near Arya Samaj mandir),” said Patil.

Indiranagar police, however, refused to register an FIR till Tuesday night, he claimed.

An official of Indiranagar police station said they booked a non-cognizable report and he’ll deploy police personnel on Wednesday morning to avoid any untoward incident. “We’ll register an FIR and take action. We’ll do everything possible for the convenience of passengers,” said city police commissioner Bhaskar Rao.

Many commuters say auto drivers near Indiranagar Metro station demand excess fare and refuse to ply. However, auto drivers at the station say their business has been hit and shared services are illegal.