• Source:JND
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The ongoing protest by the drivers of the Ola, Uber apps entered its fourth day on Friday, and it is set to grow bigger as a sit-in protest is planned at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai today. The protest, which started mid-week, is currently affecting major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. With a significant number of the drivers already off the roads, the cab chaos for passengers is growing, affecting thousands of commuters every day.  

The meeting of drivers held with the Maharashtra Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, failed after drivers refused to call off the strike, citing that their issues were not resolved. Sarnaik said that he held a meeting with representatives and was unaware why the strike was still happening. “I held discussions with the drivers’ representatives. I’m unsure why the strike is still ongoing. If they are continuing the protest even after talks, it is not right. We have explained the situation to them in detail,” Sarnaik was quoted by Times Now.

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Passengers have been left stranded, especially at locations like the Airport. The Mumbai airport authorities have advised people to check transport options before travelling.

Why Are Divers Protesting

The drivers are protesting against high commission charges and for better pay. Their key demands include;

  • Fare parity with traditional black-and-yellow taxis
  • A ban on bike taxis
  • A limit on new auto-rickshaw and taxi permits
  • Lower commission rates charged by app companies
  • A fixed base fare for stable income
  • Formation of a welfare board for app-based drivers
  • A new Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act

How Commuters Are Affected

The reduced availability of app-based cabs has led to a significant surge in wait times, often exceeding 30 minutes, and exorbitant fares due to dynamic pricing. Airport transfers and school drops have been particularly affected, with frequent cancellations adding to the inconvenience for commuters.

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The protest is likely to persist until a clear resolution is reached.