Last Updated:February 07, 2026, 14:23 IST

Drivers gather at Jantar Mantar where multiple unions flagged concerns over fare policies, alleged regulatory gaps and the use of private vehicles for commercial taxi services.

Ola, Uber, Rapido Strike Today.

Ola, Uber, Rapido Strike Today: Passengers booking taxis or autorickshaws through app-based platforms may have noticed disruptions and uncertainty on Saturday as drivers across several states held protests and strikes, demanding tighter regulation of the sector and a crackdown on bike taxi services.

Drivers gathered at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, where multiple unions flagged concerns over fare policies, alleged regulatory gaps and the use of private vehicles for commercial taxi services. The protests brought together both app-based and conventional cab drivers, highlighting growing discontent over pricing policies, the use of private vehicles for commercial transport, and what unions describe as uneven enforcement of rules.

What Are Drivers Demanding?

Driver unions are seeking structural changes rather than temporary relief. Their key demands include the creation of a Rashtriya Chalak Ayog, a national drivers’ welfare body, an all-India ban on private bike taxis, and stricter action against the use of unlicensed private vehicles as taxis.

A major concern is surge pricing on ride-hailing platforms. Drivers allege that while fares rise sharply during peak hours, the additional amount largely goes to aggregators, leaving drivers with little benefit even as commuters assume they are earning more.

Why Bike Taxis Are At The Centre Of The Dispute

Licensed taxi and autorickshaw drivers say bike taxis, often operated using private two-wheelers, are cutting into their earnings while operating in a regulatory grey zone. According to unions, enforcement against such services varies widely across states, creating uneven competition.

Drivers have also raised safety and insurance concerns, alleging that accident victims involving illegal bike taxis often struggle to get insurance compensation due to unclear liability and lack of permits.

Panic Buttons

One of the lesser-known issues affecting drivers is the mandatory installation of panic buttons in commercial vehicles. While the Centre has approved around 140 device providers, unions claim state governments have declared a large number of these companies unauthorised.

As a result, drivers say they are being forced to remove existing devices and spend up to Rs 12,000 again on new installations, turning a safety requirement into a repeated financial burden.

Will Cabs And Autos Be Available?

Despite union claims that vehicles were kept off the roads, cabs and autorickshaws continued to be available on platforms such as Uber, Ola and Rapido in many cities, though availability and waiting times varied by location.

For commuters, this means service disruptions are likely to be uneven rather than total, depending on city-wise participation and enforcement.

Why This Issue Keeps Returning

Drivers say that without a uniform national framework covering fares, commissions, licensing and welfare, disputes will continue to surface.

Unions also point to the rapid increase in autorickshaw permits under open permit policies, saying the growing supply of vehicles has reduced per-driver income without a corresponding rise in demand.

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