Argus News - Demanding Fair Fares: Ola, Uber, Rapido Services Disrupted after Drivers’ Strike

New Delhi, Jan 7: Drivers associated with app-based ride services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido are on strike on Saturday in several parts of the country.

The protest, called as ‘All India Breakdown’, led to many drivers logging out of their apps for nearly six hours, causing inconvenience to commuters. The move is expected to impact cab services, auto-rickshaws, and bike taxis.

 Who called the strike?

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), backed by several labour organizations operating across India, announced the strike. The union described the move as a protest against what it called unfair pricing practices and weak regulation in the sector. It also stated that aggregator platforms continue to decide fares independently despite the existence of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.

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“App-based transport workers across India will observe an All India Breakdown on 7 Feb 26. No minimum fares. No regulation. Endless exploitation,” reads a social media post by Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union.

“Govt must act NOW. Millions of app-based drivers are pushed into poverty while aggregators profit. Govt silence = platform impunity,” the post reads further.

The drivers said the strike was organized to highlight their growing financial problems. According to them, their earnings have reduced due to low fares, rising fuel prices, and frequent change in pricing policies by the companies. Many drivers claimed that they are facing difficulties to manage daily expenses and vehicle maintenance cost.

The protesting drivers have raised two major demands before the government:

• They want the government to fix a minimum base fare for app-based rides believing that having a fixed minimum fare will ensure fair income and prevent companies from offering rides at very low prices.
• The drivers demanded strict action against the use of private vehicles for commercial rides without proper registration claiming such practices create unfair competition and further reduce their earnings.

Due to the strike, passengers are facing difficulty in booking cabs and bike taxis, especially during office hours. However, emergency services are not affected. Drivers’ unions have warned that if their demands are not met, they may intensify their protests in the coming days.

Compiled by: Aditi Majhi