Ola, Uber, Rapido Drivers On Indefinite Strike In Mumbai. Here's Why
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 pic.twitter.com/UnWScJue6U
— 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.
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Operators of app-based cabs suspend strike in Mumbai for three days
The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch on Saturday suspended the ongoing strike of drivers of app-based taxis in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra for three days. Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president of the association, told PTI that the strike, which started on Wednesday, was being suspended till next Tuesday to give time to the Maharashtra government to respond to their demands. "We have only suspended the strike, not called it off. If our demands are not accepted by Tuesday, services will be shut again," he said. At a meeting with the association's representatives, transport department officials sought time till Tuesday, said Kshirsagar. In the meantime, app-based cabs will charge the rate fixed by the government for the conventional black-and-yellow taxis and not the rate appearing in the apps of cab aggregators (such as Ola or Uber), he said. He also urged commuters and drivers to use a fare calculation website based on official government rates, to avoid overcharging. The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch has demanded rationalisation of fares, bringing fares on par with those of the black-and-yellow metered cabs, prohibition of bike taxis, a cap on permits of black-and-yellow cabs and auto rickshaws, formation of a welfare board for drivers of app-based cabs and enactment of the 'Maharashtra Gig Workers' Act' on the lines of other states.
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
Operators of app-based cabs suspend strike for three days
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch on Saturday suspended the ongoing strike of drivers of app-based taxis in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra for three days. Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president of the association, told PTI that the strike, which started on Wednesday, was being suspended till next Tuesday to give time to the Maharashtra government to respond to their demands. 'We have only suspended the strike, not called it off. If our demands are not accepted by Tuesday, services will be shut again," he said. At a meeting with the association's representatives, transport department officials sought time till Tuesday, said Kshirsagar. In the meantime, app-based cabs will charge the rate fixed by the government for the conventional black-and-yellow taxis and not the rate appearing in the apps of cab aggregators (such as Ola or Uber), he said. He also urged commuters and drivers to use a fare calculation website based on official government rates, to avoid overcharging. The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch has demanded rationalisation of fares, bringing fares on par with those of the black-and-yellow metered cabs, prohibition of bike taxis, a cap on permits of black-and-yellow cabs and auto rickshaws, formation of a welfare board for drivers of app-based cabs and enactment of the `Maharashtra Gig Workers' Act' on the lines of other states. PTI KK KRK First Published: July 19, 2025, 23:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Gig workers postpone auto, cab strike after commuters' harrowing experience
Pune: The Indian Gig Workers' Front on Saturday evening suspended the ongoing strike of cabs and autorickshaws operating on applications till Tuesday, after leaving many commuters, including those arriving at the airport on Saturday morning, hassled. Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of the front, said, "We have a meeting on Tuesday with senior officials of the state transport department. If its decisions don't meet our expectations, the strike will resume." Several commuters had a harrowing experience on roads on Friday and in the early hours of Saturday. Cabs and autos were hard to come by. The fortunate ones getting vehicles had to fork out double the average fare. Worse, a few got a taste of unruly drivers' misbehaviour. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Pratik Chhoriyaan, an IT professional, landed in Pune in the early hours of Saturday. "People were stranded at Aeromall's first and second floor outside the Pune airport because of the strike. Some auto and cab drivers on duty demanded over Rs1,000 for an 8km distance." Aviral Bhatnagar, an investor, wrote on X, "Pune's having Ola/Uber/Rapido cab drivers' strike to raise prices. What earlier cost Rs350 now costs Rs700. One asked me to pay Rs1,000 instead of Rs300. In the quest for maximising profits, cab drivers are killing the golden goose of cab aggregators." Dinesh Tiwari, a resident of Wanowrie, struggled to find a cab to go to his office. "My car went for servicing two days ago, and it has been a big challenge finding a cab or an auto. I have been paying Rs300-400 to travel a short distance of 7km." Anvesh Kulkarni, a resident of Hadapsar, tried to book a cab multiple times on Saturday morning but failed. "I had to take my family to Koregaon Park for a function. We tried booking autorickshaws and cabs for an hour, but failed. Finally, I called up an autorickshaw driver known to us. He dropped us for Rs450," he said. Dilip Sonawane, a cab driver on these aggregators since 2015, said, "We are demanding the updated fares the RTO has allowed us to charge. Since the same fares are not showing up on the app, customers do not want to pay the revised amount. Most customers say they will pay the new rates if these reflect on the app. Ola, Uber and Rapido are refusing to update the rates. This is causing major confusion among commuters." Prakash Rajguru, the president of LV Antaral Autorickshaw Sanghatana, who operates prepaid autorickshaws from the Pune airport, said their business revived in the past two days after months of stalemate. "The strike left flyers with no option but to come to us. We have done brisk business. Each of us made multiple trips. We charged fares as per the RTA-approved pre-paid rates. Flyers with more luggage hired two or even three autorickshaws because they didn't have a choice," Rajguru said. Another prepaid auto driver talked about an incident in the early morning hours. "A passenger negotiating with an auto driver was stunned because he was asked for a fare of Rs2,000 for going to Hinjewadi-phase-1. When I saw him moving towards the AeroMall, I requested him to book a ride with us from the counter. He did that. We gave him a receipt of Rs525, and a colleague of mine took him to his destination," he said.
