After Delhi, Ola And Uber Drivers On Indefinite Strike In Bengaluru
Ola, Uber drivers in the city have been protesting against falling incomes and poor incentives.
Nearly 1 lakh drivers associated with ride-hailing firms Ola and Uber went on an indefinite strike in Bengaluru, starting Wednesday, until their demands are met, Tanveer Pasha, president of the Uber, TaxiForSure and Ola (UTO) Drivers and Owners Association told BloombergQuint.
Drivers in the city have been protesting against falling incomes and poor incentives, and want aggregators to stop attaching new cabs as existing drivers find it difficult to secure enough bookings.
When we had protested last week, they (Ola and Uber) assured that our demands will be met. However, yesterday (Tuesday) we were informed that they will not be able to provide any solution to our concerns. Now we have decided to go on indefinite strike until our demands are met.Tanveer Pasha, President, Uber, TaxiForSure and Ola Drivers and Owners Association
The two ride-hailing firms must either follow fares fixed by the Karnataka government or resume the incentives that drivers were given, Pasha said. Protestors have been demanding that Ola and Uber adhere to Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016 that has fixed taxi fares at Rs 19.50 per kilometre (for air-conditioned cabs) and Rs 14.50 per kilometre for (non-air-conditioned cabs). Currently, ride-hailing firms in India offer deep discounts to lure customers.
Sushmita Suresh Mohapatra who works with an IT firm in the city said she was asked to step out of the cab she had booked while on her way to office.
“The drivers who are protesting are stopping vehicles even though people have boarded,” she added.
Meanwhile. Uber spokesperson said in an emailed statement that they are reaching out to authorities to address the situation.
We’re sorry that our service has been disrupted in Bangalore. We’re aware of isolated reports of threats and intimidation from a small group of people. We again call on the authorities to put an end to this illegal behavior. We are committed to ensuring that drivers who wish to work are able to do so, and riders can get from A to B conveniently, reliably and safely.Uber Spokesperson
Ola did not reply to an email seeking comment.
Another Indefinite Strike
Drivers in the country’s national capital have been on an indefinite strike since February 10, armed with a similar set of demands. The strike was temporarily stalled in Delhi from Monday and availability of cars in the city has since increased, as the strike entered its 12th day. Pasha said that they will urge driver unions in Delhi as well to continue the protest until the demands are met.
The Delhi government has decided to call a meeting of cab drivers and Ola and Uber representatives on Thursday as members of the striking union today staged a protest outside the residence of Transport Minister Satyendar Jain, wire agency PTI reported.