Ola-Uber Strike Day 3: 80,000+ Drivers Off-Road, Talks Fail Again – Mumbai Commuters Suffer Massive Delays
Ola-Uber strike enters Day 3 in Mumbai with 80,000+ drivers off-road. Talks end in deadlock, leaving commuters stranded and services paralyzed
The striking Ola and Uber drivers on Friday were asked by transport department officials to wait till Tuesday for further discussions and then take further decisions.
The strike continues till that time, affecting commuters across the city, including at the airport and railway stations.
The protesters met transport department officials and placed their demands. After hearing the complaints about aggregator companies, the transport department sought time from the striking unions to seek a dialogue with the companies. The striking drivers sought help for the family members of the driver at Nalasopara who died by suicide, as he reportedly could not pay back his vehicle loan.
“The protestors met us on Friday. They sought action against Rapido, which we have actually begun, and had some issues about tariffs, which will get addressed in the new aggregator cab policy. We have called them for a meeting on Tuesday,” a top transport official said.
Meanwhile, cab drivers on the ground at Azad Maidan said they will continue with the strike and stop all those plying.
“The strike will continue till the talks go on,” a cab driver said. A section of cab drivers also continued a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in solidarity with the deceased cab driver and to press their demands.
“The protestors met us on Friday. They sought action against Rapido, which we have actually begun, and had some issues about tariffs, which will get addressed in the new aggregator cab policy. We have called them for a meeting on Tuesday,” a top transport official said.
Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha president Keshav Nana Kshirsagar who is spearheading the agitation, said, “Yes, we have been called for a meeting on Tuesday. The strike will continue till all our demands are met. Today (Friday), we also gave a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the family member of the deceased cab driver.”
Mumbai, July 19 — App-based cab services in Mumbai have come to a grinding halt for the third consecutive day as the Ola-Uber drivers’ strike intensifies. Over 80,000 drivers affiliated with various unions have gone off the roads, demanding better pay, reduced commissions, and policy-level reforms. The strike, which began on July 17, has severely impacted daily commuters across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), especially during peak hours.
Despite multiple rounds of talks between driver representatives and government officials, negotiations ended in a deadlock late on Thursday night, with no breakthrough in sight. The Maharashtra state transport department has so far failed to convince the protesting drivers to resume operations, triggering massive commuter chaos across the city.
The striking Ola and Uber drivers, under the umbrella of Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh and other unions, have raised several demands:
- Increase in base fares for rides in line with rising fuel prices and inflation.
- Reduction in platform commissions charged by Ola and Uber, which currently range from 20% to 30%.
- Transparent fare calculations and route algorithms to ensure fair earnings.
- Inclusion in state-run welfare schemes such as health insurance and pension benefits.
- Permanent suspension of unfair driver deactivations and penalties.
According to union leaders, drivers are currently earning less than ₹300 per day after expenses, down from ₹1,200–1,500 daily just a few years ago. Many drivers claim the current pricing model is “exploitative” and “unsustainable.”
The strike has created major disruption in Mumbai’s already strained public transport system. With over 80,000 app cabs off the streets, daily commuters have been left with no choice but to rely on crowded local trains, BEST buses, autorickshaws, and private taxis. Surge pricing on the remaining few available cabs and autorickshaws has also added to the frustration.
“Wait times are over 30 minutes, and fares have doubled,” said Dinesh Kulkarni, a marketing professional from Andheri. “I had to miss an important client meeting because I just couldn’t get a ride.”
Students, office-goers, airport travelers, and even emergency patients have all been affected by the cab shortage. Several commuters have taken to social media to express their anger at the disruption, tagging Ola, Uber, and government authorities.
Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar has appealed to drivers to return to work while discussions continue. However, union leaders remain adamant.
“We will not back down unless our demands are met. The system is broken and favors big corporations while leaving drivers in debt,” said Govind Sawant, one of the protest organizers.
The government has indicated it may consider regulatory action if the strike continues beyond this week, including temporary driver suspension, penalization of license-holders, and possible invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
With talks collapsing yet again, there is no immediate relief in sight for Mumbaikars. Union leaders have warned that the strike may extend indefinitely unless Ola and Uber agree to a new fare model and revise their policies.
As of Friday morning, ride-hailing apps continue to show “no cabs available” in many parts of the city. The standoff highlights the ongoing tension between gig economy workers and tech platforms, and the urgent need for government intervention.
