Drivers of Ola and Uber on strike today

Commuters who use the services of app-based taxi aggregators, Ola and Uber, will face inconvenience as a union formed by the drivers of the two companies said the drivers will strike on Friday.

Angered by their steadily reducing income, increasing penalties and a cut in the incentives at Ola and Uber, the drivers are also protesting against the state government’s new rules under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules 2017. The rules regulate app-based taxis and controls surge pricing, which varies with demand and supply.

Around 2 lakh Ola and Uber drivers are likely to remain off the road, according to several unions. “We will go on a day-long strike to oppose the state government’s city taxi scheme and the high-handedness of Ola and Uber companies, who are penalising drivers for small reasons,” said Praful Shinde, president, Maharashtra Tourist Permit Union. Drivers said they were unfairly penalised for being late or if they refused rides.

The city taxi scheme had set a lower and upper limit for the fares of the taxi aggregators and a colour scheme of daffodil yellow to distinguish them from other taxis.

The state transport department said they have not received any official intimation from the union about an agitation. “This is an internal issue between the drivers and the companies and none of them have told us anything,” said a senior transport official.

Meanwhile,the Mumbai Taximen’s Union, the biggest union for black-and-yellow taxis in the city, said they would provide uninterrupted service. “We will ensure commuters don’t face any inconvenience,” said AL Quadros, from the Mumbai Taximen’s Union.

Uber’s spokesperson refused to comment, while Ola said they would notify commuters through their app. Consumer body Mumbai Grahak Panchayat criticised the union for holding commuters to ransom.