Drivers of cab-hailing services suffers due to less customers; no incentive.

ISLAMABAD -- Drivers of cab-hailing services in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are finding it hard to make both ends meet due to reduced customers amid prevailing Coronavirus lockdown and riders' reluctance to travel out of fear of catching the virus.

The companies operating these cab-hailing services are not providing any relief to the already poverty-stricken drivers whose livelihood are severely affected after the lockdown situation and getting their full margin of profit on each ride.

"I started my work at 6:00 am after getting the car from the owner and got just one ride till 4:00 pm earning Rs. 300. After keeping aside the 27 percent margin of the company, I spent the rest of the amount on refueling to roam around the city to get more rides", Sajid Hussain, a driver of a well known cab-hailing service said.

The amount of Rs. 200 earned through the second ride till evening was also spent on one time meal and tea as I didn't take my breakfast, he said. "With this meager amount, how would I manage to pay house rent of Rs. 8000 to my landlord who daily knock my door. How would I feed my children who wait for me to bring something for them after passing the entire day outside," he lamented out of stress.

Another driver of the cab-hailing service provider, Kashif Noman said, "I managed the last month expenses...