Auto drivers’ boycott of Ola, Uber sees weak response

Auto drivers’ boycott of Ola, Uber sees weak response

TNN | Feb 2, 2025, 03.50 AM IST

Chennai: The confederation of auto drivers’ unions’ call for an indefinite boycott of Ola and Uber fell flat on the first day, even as support grew for alternative subscription-based platforms such as Namma Yatri and Rapido. Despite the unions’ push for drivers to unsubscribe from major ride-hailing apps, Ola and Uber autos remained widely available, with little visible impact on operations.

Earlier this week, the confederation had urged its 10,000 affiliated auto drivers to stop using app-based aggregators from Saturday, citing high commission charges ranging from 25 to 40 per cent. The unions said these deductions significantly reduced drivers’ take-home earnings, making it unsustainable for many to continue working under these platforms. However, the expected mass withdrawal did not materialize. Commuters continued to find autos through Ola and Uber within two to four minutes throughout the day, and surge pricing remained active, fluctuating between 50 and 100 per cent above standard fares.

Meanwhile, a section of auto drivers participating in the protest shifted to alternate platforms such as Namma Yatri and Auto Na, saying that these services offered more transparent fare structures with only fixed subscription fees and no commissions. According to the confederation’s coordinator, A Zahir Hussain, drivers on these platforms adhered to pre-determined fare charts, charging a base fare of 50 for the first 1.8 km and 18 per additional km, without imposing surge pricing. He said that around 5,000 trips were completed on Saturday through these two apps alone.

Hussain said the confederation had not enforced the boycott with coercion but had instead engaged with drivers to make them aware of the financial strain caused by aggregator commissions.

Authorities kept a close watch on the situation, with police conducting checks in the morning to monitor any irregularities. However, no cases were registered regarding excessive fares.