Cab services across Mumbai remain severely disrupted as the Ola-Uber drivers’ strike enters its fourth day. Drivers are demanding fare hikes, better working conditions, and stronger regulations to protect gig workers. If you’ve been struggling to find an Ola or Uber cab in Mumbai lately, you’re not alone. For the fourth consecutive day, app-based cab services in the city have come to a near standstill as drivers continue their strike demanding fairer pay, better working conditions, and stronger protections under the law.
The protest, spearheaded by the Maharashtra Gig Works Manch, has led to almost 90% of app-based cabs staying off the roads, according to the group’s president Kiran Kshirsagar, who spoke to PTI. Despite an earlier meeting with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, the absence of a clear resolution has fuelled the drivers’ decision to extend the strike.
Airport chaos and commuter frustrations The impact has been most severely felt at Mumbai Airport, where passengers have reported long waits and inflated fares from alternative transport options. The airport authority issued a travel advisory on X (formerly Twitter), urging travellers to plan ahead and make alternate arrangements due to the limited cab availability. Across the city, commuters are experiencing major delays during peak hours, with public transport modes such as autos, buses, and metro services witnessing a sharp rise in demand.
What exactly are the drivers demanding? At the heart of the protest is a growing frustration among gig economy drivers who feel they are being exploited by cab aggregators while receiving only a fraction of the fare. Here are the key demands raised by the striking drivers Fare parity with black-and-yellow taxis: Drivers want AC app-based cabs to be paid at Rs 32 per kilometre, the same rate as conventional taxis.
Ban on bike taxis: They are calling for a ban on bike taxis operating under aggregator platforms, citing unfair competition and safety issues. Permit caps: Drivers want limits on the number of black-and-yellow taxis and auto-rickshaws in the city to avoid market saturation. Welfare board for gig workers: The group is pushing for the formation of a state welfare board for transport gig workers to ensure social security and benefits. Legislation for gig workers: Drivers want the state to introduce a ‘Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act’, similar to what other Indian states have begun implementing to protect app-based service providers.
“The cab aggregators are charging hefty commissions while offering drivers as low as Rs 8 per km,” said Kshirsagar.
What’s next? With no immediate resolution in sight, the strike has become a major test for both the state government and the ride-hailing platforms. While the government has acknowledged the grievances, commuters are still left bearing the brunt of the standoff. Whether this ongoing agitation prompts real change for gig workers remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Mumbai’s app-based cab economy is at a crossroads, and its drivers are no longer willing to stay silent.