App-based cabs off road as drivers protest against companies

Commuters in the Delhi-NCR region today faced hardship in hiring cabs as thousands of drivers working with app-based taxi aggregators went off roads in protest against "low fares" and "lacking" basis amenities their employers provide them.
During evening peak hours, there were periods when the Uber app showed 'no cabs available' and routes for which they were available, the compny resorted to surge pricing.
Cab driver unions claimed that around 65 per cent of the taxi drivers participated in the strike today and more will join in tomorrow.
Coming few days might see the situation worsening as around half a dozen unions have threatened to remain on strike till their issues are addressed by cab aggregators, including Ola and Uber.

Around 400 drivers of app-based cab services took out a protest march from Ramlila Ground to Jantar Mantar.
Among the unions, which have called the strike, are Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi and Rajdhani Tourist Drivers' Union. They are demanding an increase the fares from the existing Rs 6 per kilometre.

"We will continue our strike till our demands are met. Around 65 per cent of taxis could not ply on roads today. There are around 2 lakh drivers with app-based companies in Delhi-NCR.
"400 of them are staging a dharna at Jantar Mantar while some of them in their respective areas," Ravi Rathore, vice president of the Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi, said.

He said app-based cab companies made "tall promises" to drivers-- like they would earn as much as Rs 1.5 lakh every month.
"But the situation is different. They are making us run taxis at Rs 6 per km while they charge 25 per cent from us," Rathore also said.
However, Uber said "a small group" of people are disrupting its service in parts of Delhi.
"A small group of people are disrupting the Uber Service in parts of Delhi, and there have been isolated reports of threats and intimidation. We are working hard to ensure reliable rides are available for everyone and we can keep the city moving.

"We call upon authorities to ensure the safety of riders and drivers," Uber said in a statement. Ola declined to comment.
Balwant Singh, President of Rajdhani Tourist Drivers' Union, said, "We have decided to extend our strike. The strike has been called by several taxi unions."
"App-based cab companies are flouting several rules, but neither Centre or Delhi government is taking action against them," Singh also said.
Two representatives from an association of cab drivers, Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi, also sat on a hunger strike on Friday in protest.