App-based taxi drivers suspend strike in Mumbai and Pune; fare regulation still pending

Indian Express

4 days ago

Drivers of app-based taxis in Maharashtra temporarily stopped their four-day-old strike on Friday, citing financial pressure and the need to take care of their families. But they still insist on their demand to implement government-notified fare rates across all aggregator platforms.
Drivers associated with platforms such as Ola and Uber have been getting between Rs 8 and Rs 12 per km, which they argue is unsustainable. They demanded that the fares set by the Regional Transport Authority (RTO) be made mandatory for all aggregator services run through mobile apps. The existing RTO-notified fare for taxis is Rs 32 per km for cabs.
The Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, the union that organised the protest, said that drivers will charge this rate of Rs 32 per km, but not the app-based fare. They will look at fare calculations given on a website named Only Meter. 'Drivers will report the app-displayed distance on the Only Meter site and charge passengers as per the fare indicated there, rather than applying the app-based fare estimate,' the union said in a statement.
The union said that this system was already in use in Pune and Mumbai. Although there might be an initial confusion for people travelling by bus, the union said, it will ultimately help passengers and drivers alike in the long term. Passengers are also reportedly in favour of the new system, the union added.
The protest, which started with a sit-in at Azad Maidan, got a mixed response. But it picked up pace after the death of a driver from Nalasopara in an apparent suicide, reportedly under financial stress as he was unable to pay his car loan EMIs. The incident attracted more drivers to the protest site in a sign of solidarity.
To resolve the issues, the union and RTO officials held a meeting on Friday, where drivers once again pleaded for the introduction of fixed fares. The RTO, however, has requested time until July 22 to respond to the demands.
Dr Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, said the strike has not been withdrawn.
'The online cab and rickshaw strike in Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune cities has been temporarily suspended. The government has been given time till Tuesday, and if the demands are not accepted, the strike will resume from Wednesday. Now the fare will be charged at the government rate. Passengers and drivers can agree on the fare at the government meter rate by visiting the website http://www.onlymeter.in.'
The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers' (IFAT) has also instructed the drivers to return to work. 'The strike is still going on. We have just instructed our drivers to accept rides on the applications and politely inform the rider that government meter-based rates will be applicable. The ride will be cancelled (on the app) and the customer will be provided good service,' said Prashant Sawardekar, president of the IFAT.
'There have been unfortunate cases of suicides of drivers and some elements have blocked cabs plying on roads and broken them down. This is affecting the livelihood of people and we thought we should not do it,' he added.
Sawardekar further said the leaders had met BJP state chief Ravindra Chavan to resolve the issues. 'If our demands are not met, we will demand a meeting with the chief minister next,' he said.