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Ola, Uber’s One-Day Cab Strike in Delhi-NCR Had “No Major Impact”

The strike was renewed as the drivers feel their demands have fallen on deaf ears.

Updated
India
3 min read
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A one-day strike called by Ola and Uber drivers in Delhi-NCR region had no major impact on Tuesday as commuters easily found cabs to reach their destination during the morning rush hours.

Although cabs were easily available on several routes, app-based cab aggregators resorted to surge-pricing on some routes. The situation remained normal as the auto and taxi unions have decided not to participate in the strike.

Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union (kaali-peeli taxis) said they will work as usual.

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Of the estimated 1-5 lakh app-based taxis that are in Delhi-NCR, most drivers of the cabs and autorickshaws have decided to not take their vehicles on the roads on 18 April, and will march till Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Civil Lines residence from the Majnu ka Tila gurdwara. The strike is getting renewed as the drivers feel their demands have fallen on deaf ears – “neither the companies nor the Delhi government has done anything,” they say.

Their demands include that fares be increased from existing Rs 6 per km to around 20 per km, and the abolition of 25 percent commission the drivers are charged by companies.

According to the association, the app-based cab companies made "tall promises" to drivers – like the fact that they would earn as much as Rs 1.5 lakh every month.

"But the situation is different. They are making us run taxis at Rs 6 per km while they charge 25 percent from us," Rathore also said.

He said the association has called for the one-day strike in favour of the demands, and if companies and government do not pay heed, they will go on an indefinite strike.

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The strike that took place in February hindered the commute of nearly 2 lakh passengers for about two weeks. The new protests are being led by the same drivers’ union which organised the last strike – Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi (SDAD).

Nothing has changed since our February protest. Drivers continue to slog for 16-18 hours daily and still are barely earning enough to eat and pay the car EMIs. Fares of registered city taxis can only be fixed by the government, whereas Ola-Uber still continues to levy their own rates.
Kamaljeet Gill, President, SDAD 

Contrary to the association's claim that most autorickshaw and tourists associations have decided to lend their support to the strike, Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union (yellow-black taxis) said they will not participate in it.

"We will not support the strike in Delhi," Rajendra Soni, general secretary of both the associations, said.

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Earlier on Monday, the Delhi High Court restrained two taxi drivers' unions – the Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi (SDAD) and the Rajdhani Tourist Drivers' Union – from disrupting services of cabs run by Ola and Uber in the national capital region.

Welcoming the court order, Uber in a statement said it hopes it will enable drivers to stay behind the wheel, without fear or harassment.

We are hopeful that the order will be effectively enforced and that action is taken against any person who attempts to block cars, confiscate devices or harass riders and drivers and that the safety of everyone using the Uber App in Delhi is ensured. We are committed to keeping Delhi moving and ensuring a reliable experience for riders and drivers.
Uber

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(With inputs from PTI)

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Topics:  Ola   Uber   Strike 

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