‘I paid ₹1,200 for a ₹550 Ola ride’
The strike by drivers of cab-hailing services Uber and Ola on Friday, the first of its kind, received a mixed response. Commuters had to bear with surge pricing owing to the drivers staying off the roads.
The ‘Action Committee of Maharashtra’ a union formed by the drivers to protest against new government rules and policies of their employers, claimed that more than half of all Uber and Ola cabs stayed off the roads. “Drivers of about 60% to 70% of such cabs either remained off the roads or switched off their phones,” said Mohammad Yakoob, 50, a committee member.
The strike affected those who have come to rely on the cab-hailing services. As there were fewer cars available, surge pricing came into effect and some passengers were charged up to four or five times the normal fare during peak hours. Some also complained that they had trouble booking rides or had long waits.
“I normally book an Ola from Kharghar to Parel for Rs550, but the estimated fare today was Rs900-rs1000 and on top of this, taxis were not available. Finally I found a cab for which I had to pay Rs1,200,” said Rohit Jadhav, a Kharghar resident.
The unionised drivers planned the strike as they were frustrated by their falling incomes, increasing penalties and cuts in incentives from Ola and Uber. They were also protesting against the newly enacted Maharashtra City Taxi Rules 2017, which they said would further cut their incomes. Apart from striking work, some drivers protested outside the offices of Ola and Uber at Andheri (East) and Kurla (West), respectively, from 9am. However, they cancelled a scheduled protest at Azad Maidan.
Barring stray incidents, the agitation was peaceful. The Andheri police, however, arrested four drivers and registered two cases of rioting and robbery against them for allegedly halting two Ola cabs and damaging the drivers’ phones.
An Uber spokesperson said, “We regret the disruption caused to our riders and driver community by a small group of individuals.”