
Ola, Uber drivers' strike continues in Mumbai: What is happening and what are the key demands?
Also Read: Commuters flag lack of transparency in auto, cab fares on aggregator apps
Mumbai continued to experience widespread transport disruptions on Thursday, as hundreds of drivers stayed off the roads, pressing for fairer per-kilometre rates, reduced aggregator commissions, and the implementation of regulatory reforms. Organised under the Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh and the Indian Gig Workers Front, drivers say the strike will not be called off until the state government offers formal assurance on their demands.
What is happening in Mumbai and why are drivers on strike?
The strike began on July 15 and has affected central locations including the airport, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Andheri, and South Mumbai. Drivers are protesting against low per-kilometre earnings, high aggregator commissions, and a lack of government regulation. They claim that their take-home income is unsustainable, often as low as ₹8–12/km after deductions.
What are the drivers demanding from the government and platforms?
The primary demands include fare parity with traditional taxis (₹18/km), a cap on commissions charged by aggregators, and the immediate enforcement of the Maharashtra Aggregator Policy. Drivers are also urging the government to implement the Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Act and ban bike taxi services to control oversupply and safety issues.
Union leaders have held initial discussions with officials from the Maharashtra transport department, but no formal assurances have been provided so far. According to union representatives, the strike will continue until written commitments are made regarding driver welfare, pricing structure, and platform accountability.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Ola, Uber, Rapido Drivers On Indefinite Strike In Mumbai. Here's Why
Thousands of passengers across Mumbai have been grappling with long waiting times and unavailability of cabs after a section of drivers affiliated with Uber, Ola and Rapido halted services on July 15. The protest is mainly aimed at securing fair pay, better regulations and improved working conditions. What triggered the ongoing strike? The agitation, led by drivers in major areas including the airport zone, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Andheri and South Mumbai, stems from growing dissatisfaction over low earnings. Drivers allege that after accounting for aggregator commissions and fuel expenses, their actual income sometimes falls to just Rs 8 to Rs 12 per kilometre. Drivers said these earnings are unsustainable, especially with rising fuel and maintenance expenses. Their frustration has been further fuelled by the absence of regulatory oversight to protect their interests. What are the main demands of the protesting drivers? The strike is being coordinated by bodies including the Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, the Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh and the Indian Gig Workers Front. The demands put forth are both economic and regulatory. Protesting drivers have demanded that app-based cab fares be brought on par with black-and-yellow taxis. They're also seeking a ban on bike taxis, a cap on new permits for kaali-peeli cabs and autos, the formation of a welfare board for app-based drivers and the introduction of a Maharashtra Gig Workers' Act to protect their rights. Drivers have also raised concerns about the discounts offered by platforms, stating that the cost of these discounts is often deducted from their earnings. They want the platforms to bear the discount cost instead of passing it on to the drivers. Is there any government regulation for aggregators in Maharashtra? Over a year after announcing plans for a dedicated policy on aggregator services, the Maharashtra government has yet to roll it out. A draft that outlines fare structures, licensing norms, and enforcement measures is ready but still awaits final approval. In the absence of clear regulations, disputes between drivers, app-based platforms, and commuters have become common. The delay in implementation has also limited the government's role in addressing these issues. How are commuters coping? With thousands of app-based cabs off the road, daily travel has become a struggle, especially for airport-bound passengers. In response, Mumbai Airport issued an advisory on social media urging travellers to prepare for possible delays and explore alternative transport. 'In light of ongoing protests in the state, passengers travelling via #MumbaiAirport are advised to check transport availability and plan alternate arrangements in advance,' read the post from the airport on X (formerly Twitter). In light of ongoing protests in the state, passengers travelling via #MumbaiAirport are advised to check transport availability and plan alternate arrangements in advance. #CSMIA #PassengerAdvisory #Travel #Aviation — Mumbai Airport (@CSMIA_Official) July 16, 2025 As per reports, striking Ola and Uber drivers were told by transport department officials on July 18 to wait until July 22 for further discussions before deciding on the next course of action. The strike continues in the meantime, affecting commuters across Mumbai.


Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Drivers of app cabs on stir to force others to not ply Sat
Mumbai: Ola and Uber drivers protesting at Azad Maidan plan to stop all app-based cabs in the MMR on Saturday. If this happens, it could impact airline and train passengers, as well as office-goers. This has not gone down well with the cab drivers, who have decided to stop other cabs that are plying on the road. A group of Ola and Uber drivers protesting at Azad Maidan, representing areas across the MMR, including Nalasopara, Kalyan, Panvel, and others, have issued a warning that they will stop all Ola and Uber cabs from Saturday morning. Such an action is expected to make it difficult for citizens to get aggregator cabs, particularly outside airports and railway stations during the weekend. The driver partners are demanding a minimum fare of Rs 32 per km, stating that they currently earn as low as Rs 8 to Rs 10 per km via the app. A delegation from the drivers met the additional transport commissioner who informed them that a follow-up meeting would be held on Tuesday. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai On Friday, services were not majorly hit although there was a shortage in suburbs and far-flung areas of MMR. Union leader Keshav Kshirsagar, while addressing the crowd at Azad Maidan on Friday, said: "I am told that Ola and Uber do not have permission to operate and, therefore, it would not be considered illegal to cease operations. So you can go in a group of four and request other drivers to stop on Saturday. But please do not use violence. .." The agitation intensified following the suicide by a cab driver in Nalasopara this week. The driver's income had decreased, making it difficult for him to support himself. —Somit Sen


India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Uber, Ola to remain off Mumbai streets as massive Azad Maidan rally planned today
The ongoing strike by drivers of app-based cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber is set to intensify in Maharashtra today, with protesters planning to gather at Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Cab services have been suspended across Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur since Wednesday, as drivers demand fare rationalisation to bring app-based rates in line with traditional black-and-yellow taxis, among other strike, now in its fourth day, has already caused significant disruptions for commuters, particularly at airports and railway stations, where long queues and extended waiting times have become routine. The protesters have held a round of discussions with the government, but failed to reach a cab drivers will stage a sit-in protest at Azad Maidan from Friday to escalate the agitation. No further talks have taken place with the government since the meeting with state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik at Mantralaya on Tuesday,' said a representative of the striking drivers, indicating a deadlock with no resolution in sight. The protest is being spearheaded by the Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, which has raised several demands, including a ban on bike taxis, a cap on the number of black-and-yellow taxis and autorickshaws, and the creation of a welfare board for app-based drivers. The drivers are also pushing for the enactment of a 'Maharashtra Gig Workers' Act', inspired by similar laws in other states, to address the growing concerns over gig workers' rights and Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, said that nearly 70 per cent of app-based cabs have stayed off the roads, severely limiting ride availability and affecting daily commuter inconvenience, the strike has also raised safety concerns. Some citizens have reported that striking drivers are coercing their peers into joining the protest by stopping them from operating. The Chandivali Citizen Welfare Association shared an incident on social media showing cab drivers confronting a fellow driver who continued to work during the strike, fuelling debate over the ethics of protest and railway stations have been particularly affected, with limited alternative transport options. The Mumbai airport operator has advised passengers to make travel arrangements in advance and explore alternatives to avoid no progress in government negotiations, the agitation appears set to continue, and the impact on commuters is likely to worsen unless the drivers' demands are meaningfully addressed.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Mumbai