Ola, Uber services likely to be hit as cabbies plan strike

Ola, Uber services likely to be hit as cabbies plan strike

Jan 30, 2025, 04.01 AM IST

Chennai: Ride-hailing services are likely to be disrupted from Saturday as a section of auto and cab drivers plan to indefinitely boycott aggregators such as Ola and Uber, citing 25%-40% commissions that eat into their earnings.

Drivers stated they will continue operating through apps such as Namma Yatri that charge a fixed daily subscription fee instead of commissions. Meanwhile, auto drivers unaffiliated with any app-based service have announced their own fare structure 50 as base fare, followed by 18/km.

“We have been demanding a fare revision for 12 years, as directed by Madras high court, but state govt is yet to act. The transport minister has repeatedly said the proposal is awaiting cabinet approval,” said Zahir Hussain A, coordinator of the Confederation of Drivers’ Unions, Chennai.

Aggregator rules, meant to regulate peak-hour surcharges and commission percentages, have been stalled for years. “With commissions as high as 40%, we are sometimes forced to charge above the app-estimated fares, leading to conflicts with passengers. This indefinite strike and our new fare system aim to resolve these issues,” he added at a press conference on Wednesday.

Asked about possible govt action for not following the official fare structure, drivers said they were prepared to face consequences. “We have no choice. We need to sustain our livelihoods, pay rent, clear loans, and support our children’s education. We are not asking for crores from the govt, just a simple order announcing revised fares,” Hussain said.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. D Amit, a Mumbai native working in Taramani, recalled how auto drivers in Chennai never adhered to the fares fixed in 2013, even before ride-hailing apps gained popularity. “They didn’t even have fare meters and often overcharged passengers, especially newcomers to the city,” he said.