Strike Overview: Where & When

a) Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)

• Since July 15–16, 2025, Ola and Uber drivers have launched a prolonged strike in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, with participation also in Pune and Nagpur .
• On July 17, services remained crippled—the third consecutive day of disruption across MMR.https://www.olacabs.com/
• In Bhopal, around 500 app‑taxi drivers staged a day‑long protest (July 14), citing poor regulation and unfair practices.

b) Pune & Nagpur Extension

• From July 16, rickshaw and auto‑rickshaw unions in Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur joined the cab strike, crippling public transport and leaving commuters stranded at peak hours.(https://www.uber.com/)

Core Grievances & Demands

2.1 Low Earnings Due to High Commissions

• Drivers reportedly earn as little as ₹8–12/km on app platforms, compared to ₹31/km (AC) and ₹18–20/km for Mumbai’s traditional kaali‑peeli taxis.
• Ola and Uber deduct steep commissions—and “bait & switch” promotions often benefit the platforms, not drivers.

2.2 Demand for Fixed Fares & Commission Caps

• A major push is for fixed fares at par with regulated taxis, such as ₹31/km for AC and ₹20–21/km thereafter.
• They seek a cap on aggregator commissions, currently unspecified but often seen exceeding 30–40%.
• The strike calls for fare regulation legislation—notably via a new Maharashtra Aggregator Policy or a Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act.

2.3 Ban on Bike Taxis

• Bike‑taxi services (e.g., Rapido bikes filtered through aggregator apps) are accused of undercutting fares, further marginalising traditional cab drivers.
• Drivers demand an official ban on bike taxis, labeling them illegal and unfair competition.

2.4 Permit Caps & Licensing Enforcement

• With open permit policies, cities are flooded with app‑based vehicles, intensifying competition.
• Demand for permit caps on taxis, autos, and bike taxis—to curb oversupply.

2.5 Welfare Board & Labour Rights

• The strike seeks a dedicated welfare board, offering health, insurance, pension, and grievance redressals for gig drivers.
• A proposed Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act, similar to frameworks in other Indian states, to formally recognise and protect them.

Union Leadership & Organisation

a) Maharashtra Gig Works Manch & Local Unions

• Led by Kiran Kshirsagar of the Maharashtra Gig Works Manch, the strike has seen up to 90% participation by app‑cab drivers.
• Additional groups include the Indian Gig Workers Platform, Maharashtra State National Workers Union (App‑based Transport), Mumbai Taximen Union, MARKS, and local rickshaw unions.

b) National Federation – IFAT

• The Indian Federation of App‑based Transport Workers (IFAT), founded in 2019 with over 150,000+ members, has been advocating for minimum kilometer fares, welfare boards, and gig workers’ protections.
• IFAT previously led protests during the pandemic (2020) and filed PILs for inclusion under labour welfare legislation .

Escalation & Enforcement Tactics

a) Disruptive Actions & Safety Concerns

• Drivers have stopped cabs mid‑trip, forcing passengers to de‑board and cranking up surge pricing as cabs disappear from apps.
• Reported threats, intimidation, and physical interruptions have escalated tensions .

b) Expansion to Other Cities

• Pune and Nagpur drivers and rickshaw unions have aligned with the strike since July 16, citing similar grievances.
• Bhopal saw 500 drivers strike on July 14, focusing on licensing irregularities and unregulated competition .

Impact on Commuters & Public Transport

a) Service Disruptions

• Around 90% of Ola & Uber cabs were off the road in Mumbai, with long wait times and cancelled rides.
• Airport travellers at CSMIA Mumbai Airport were advised to arrange alternatives, as cab pickups almost vanished.
• Surge pricing escalated to extremes; some drivers shifted to offline or unregistered rides .

b) Pressure on Other Services

• BEST buses, metros, local trains were overwhelmed due to reduced cab availability .
• E‑rickshaws and auto‑rickshaws capitalised on the gap in cities like Bhopal, but at inflated fares up to four times normal rates.

Government & Aggregator Responses

Government Positions

• Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik held meetings with driver unions and said a solution would come within 15 days—but unions dismissed the timelines as insufficient.
• The State Government is considering the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines (MVAG), which may allow caps of only 0.5–1.5% above base fares, favouring flexible pricing over fixed rates.

Aggregator Companies (Ola, Uber, Rapido)

• No public statements from Ola or Uber have yet addressed their drivers’ demands; meetings were scheduled with driver representatives.
• Rapido bike-taxis have continued operations, muddying the dispute — bike-taxi drivers argue Rapido doesn’t impose high quotas or commissions.

Broader Context: The Gig Economy Crisis

a) A Recurring Pattern

• This is not the first such protest; similar strikes took place in 2017 (Delhi), 2018 (Pune), 2023 (Guwahati), all driven by high aggregator commissions and calls for fair wages.

b) Gig Work Instability

• App-cab drivers often lack formal employment protections—treated as contractors, they miss out on benefits like insurance, pensions, or minimum-wage protections.
• Variability in earnings, account deactivation, and dependence on dynamic pricing create instability, especially during off-peak periods.

c) Regulatory Dilemma

• Governments face conflicting objectives: maintain dynamic pricing flexibility while ensuring fair compensation and consumer protection .

What Happens Next?

a) Scheduled Discussions & Timelines

• A negotiation meeting between driver unions and Ola/Uber was planned for July 16–17, as reported .
• Transport Minister Sarnaik promised resolutions in 15 days, though drivers demand binding legislation, not temporary fixes .

b) Potential Volatility

• The strike could escalate if demands involving fixed fares, commission caps, and bike‑taxi bans aren’t met.
• With rickshaw unions joining and widespread public disruptions, political pressure is mounting—which may prompt stricter regulation.

c) Short‑Term Alternatives

• Commuters may be forced to rely on public transport, private vehicles, or ride-sharing offline.
• If strikes spread to other cities, the gig transport sector nationwide may face a major shake-up—possibly triggering regulatory reforms.

Conclusion: Strike Underlines Gig Sector Tensions

This wave of strikes highlights escalating friction in India’s gig economy. The demands represent core issues:

• Fair pay and income stability
• Commission regulations to protect drivers
• Labour rights via welfare boards and legal recognition
• Level playing field through bans on unregulated competition
• Structured regulation of app aggregators

While dynamic pricing helps passenger convenience, too much flexibility can hurt drivers. Unless win‑win policies emerge, such protests may recur. Watch for Maharashtra’s aggregator regulations and federal recognition of gig workers, which may offer long‑term solutions.