Tamil Nadu Ola, Uber Drivers on 3-Day Strike

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Ola and Uber drivers started a three-day strike on Monday with strikers in Chennai deleting the apps on their phones and joining the demonstration outside the transport office in Saidapet.

The All India Road Transport Workers Federation and the Tamil Nadu Urimai Kural Driver Trade Union jointly placed a charter of 13 demands. They insisted that guidelines should be issued to regulate vehicles booked through Ola and Uber, metered charges should be fixed for vehicles, and meters should be provided for autos.

In 2020, the Union ministry of road transport and highways issued guidelines to regulate cab aggregators. States were asked to form their regulations taking the guidelines as reference. Tamil Nadu is yet to issueguidelines.

The protesting drivers demanded a ban on bike-taxis, stating that their income is severely affected by them. Ola and Rapido bike-taxis became popular in 2018-2019.

Penalty for renting out private vehicles should be intensified, they demanded. They also urged the immediate implementation of the transport minister’s announcement that commercial vehicles should be issued licence badges.

Moreover, they want the government to run apps like Ola and Uber. These companies take large commission for booking and allotting passengers, which can be avoided. Besides, passengers complain that the Ola and Uber unreasonably hike fares during peak hours.The drivers are also protesting the illegaltoll booths.

On day two, the drivers protestedbefore the transport commissioner’s office in Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore. 

On Wednesday, the drivers have planned a large-scale demonstration near Rajaratnam Stadium, Egmore, Chennai.

In major cities like Chennai, booking cars and autos through Ola and Uber have become an integral part of the public transportation system. Passengers faced difficulties because cab and auto drivers are on strike.