Ola and Uber rides to cost more? Drivers threaten to go on strike for fare revision
To put this into perspective, the base fare of auto rickshaw was compared as fare of rickshaw is Rs 18 for the first two kilometers, and Rs 22 for a black-and-yellow taxi, which is higher than OLA and Uber.
While pockets of common man are hit, ride-hailing companies OLA and Uber have also reportedly suffered because of rising fuel prices, forcing drivers to go on agitation. Uber and Ola are known for their affordable fares as compared to private taxi and auto rickshaws. but the rise in fuel price has forced the Uber and Ola drivers to demand for an increase in the base fare of the rides.
Drivers claim that the base fare of Uber and OLA is Rs 6 per kilometer, which is too low and leads in operational losses. The rise in fuel prices and higher fares of rival transport services are the main reasons for their loss.
To put this into perspective, the base fare of auto rickshaw was compared as fare of rickshaw is Rs 18 for the first two kilometers, and Rs 22 for a black-and-yellow taxi, which is higher than OLA and Uber.
According to a report by BGR.in, the drivers have demanded KYC of customers, removal of the the daily 200 km limit for the drivers, lower daily installments on cars, and insurance along with ESI/ health cards.
As per the report, Raju Patil from the Sangharsh Taxi Chalak Malak Sanghatana said, “We will address the Chief Minister and State Transport Minister Diwakar Raote on Friday and ask them to consider our complaint and increase the base fares. If they do not do the same, we will call a strike. As many as 80,000 to one lakh drivers on the platform are expected to join us,”
The reports further said that the Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh (another workers’ union) will be approaching Uber’s office on October 22 to demand an increase in the salaries of the drivers, which is necessary and further demand is that the base rates be increased between Rs 18 and Rs 23 depending on the type of car.
Patil said, “Almost two years later, we are yet to see implementation of the tourist cab policy in the state. Almost a year has passed since the state-appointed committee gave its recommendation on the minimum and maximum base fares. But there is no movement on it. Our losses are mounting and there is no update on the implementation of the policy.”
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This is the reason why Uber and Ola drivers across various unions have said they intend to hold an agitation later this month on October 22.
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