Ola and Uber Drivers Protest in Mumbai; Force Passengers Out Mid-Trip

OLA and Uber drivers in Maharashtra went on strike on Tuesday, gathering in Mumbai to call for important reforms, including the rationalization of fares. At Azad Maidan, thousands of drivers gathered for the protest. Gig workers of food delivery apps also participated in the protest. Drivers who were striking allegedly stopped taxis and autos in the middle of their journey in a number of incidents recorded throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, forcing passengers to disembark and interfering with services.

Five of the protesters’ key demands were:

• Bike taxis should be banned strictly
• Rationalisation of fares
• Taxi meter parity
• Permits for cabs and autos should be capped
• Maharashtra Gig Workers Act implementation and activation of the welfare board for drivers