Hyderabad: App-based cab drivers associated with Ola, Uber and Rapido launched a nationwide cab drivers strike on Saturday, disrupting services across several cities and sharply reducing cab availability.
Drivers observed a six-hour protest under the banner “All India Breakdown” from 6 am to 12 noon on February 7. As part of the agitation, drivers switched off their apps and refused ride requests. Consequently, commuters in several cities faced difficulty in booking cabs, especially during peak morning hours.
Drivers said the absence of a fixed base fare had severely affected their earnings. They alleged that app-based companies were deciding fares arbitrarily while charging high commissions. As a result, they claimed their take-home income had dropped significantly despite rising fuel and maintenance costs.
They also accused cab aggregators of offering discounts at drivers’ expense. According to them, promotional pricing shifted the financial burden onto drivers, making daily operations unviable. Therefore, they described the existing fare structure as unsustainable.
Cab drivers strike raises demand for minimum fares
The protesting drivers demanded that governments strictly enforce the minimum travel fares already announced. They also sought an end to unilateral pricing decisions by app-based cab companies.
In addition, drivers demanded a ban on commercial rides using private vehicles, arguing that such practices undercut licensed drivers. They also called for transparency in fare calculation and commission structures to ensure fair compensation.
The cab drivers strike has begun affecting passengers in several cities. Many commuters have turned to public transport as an alternative. However, passengers said overcrowding increased during peak hours due to reduced cab services.
Drivers warned that the agitation could intensify if authorities failed to intervene. They said longer and more severe strikes could follow if their demands remained unaddressed. Union representatives urged state and central governments to step in and regulate app-based cab services to protect driver livelihoods.
