Commuters across India may face travel disruptions on Saturday as drivers associated with app-based ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido have announced a nationwide strike. The protest, titled ‘All India Breakdown’, is expected to see thousands of drivers simultaneously log off from their apps, affecting cab, auto, and bike taxi services. The strike has been called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) along with several national labour organisations. In a public statement, the union said that app-based transport workers across the country will participate in the one-day shutdown to highlight what they describe as “no minimum fares, no regulation and endless exploitation.”
According to the union, the protest stems from long-pending issues faced by drivers working with aggregator platforms such as Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Porter. In a letter addressed to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, the union alleged that the absence of a government-regulated fare structure allows companies to set prices arbitrarily, leading to income insecurity and poor working conditions for drivers. The workers claim that fluctuating fares, high commissions, and lack of social security benefits have pushed many drivers toward financial distress, while aggregator companies continue to earn significant profits.
Among their key demands, drivers are seeking regulatory oversight, a transparent and fixed fare system and protection of livelihoods, in line with the proposed Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. If widely observed, the strike could significantly impact daily commuters who rely on app-based transport services in major cities across the country. Passengers are advised to plan alternative travel arrangements.
