Ahmedabad Rickshaw, Taxi Drivers’ Strike Against Ola, Uber, Rapido Begins with Mixed Response

Ahmedabad: A four-day strike by thousands of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the city against app-based ride-hailing services such as Ola, Uber and Rapido began on Monday, but has received a mixed response so far, with vehicles continuing to operate in several parts of the city.

The “Rozgar Bachao” (Save Livelihood) movement has been called by Ahmedabad Rickshaw Chalak Ekta and other organisations, which claim that their repeated representations to the government have failed to resolve their pending demands.

The strike began at midnight and is scheduled to continue until September 10. The unions have claimed that around 3 lakh rickshaw drivers and 70,000 taxi drivers would participate in the complete shutdown. However, rickshaws and taxis were seen operating in several areas, resulting in a relatively weak response in some parts of the city.

To enforce the strike, union members took to the streets in areas including ISKCON, Pakwan, Ahmedabad Airport and Kalupur. They reportedly stopped rickshaws and taxis that continued to operate and asked passengers to get off midway. Some commuters were consequently forced to walk while carrying their luggage.

At Gota on SG Highway, the strike reportedly received a weak response, with several rickshaws continuing to operate.

Rickshaw drivers participating in the protest said app-based services were affecting their earnings and livelihoods. A rickshaw driver alleged that illegal two-wheeler taxi services operating through online applications had not been stopped despite repeated complaints. He also claimed that app-based platforms were not following government-prescribed fares.

The rickshaw driver said rising gas prices had further increased the financial burden on drivers, while fares offered through online platforms had not increased proportionately, making it difficult for drivers to support their families.

Union’s Main Demands

The unions have alleged that the unregulated policies of private ride-hailing companies have created a serious threat to the livelihood of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.

Their key demands include an immediate ban on unauthorised two-wheeler taxi services operating through online platforms and the implementation of fair fares in accordance with government-prescribed rules and regulations.

The unions submitted a memorandum to the Transport Commissioner in Gandhinagar on August 27. From August 28, they began displaying protest posters on rickshaws as part of their campaign. The unions said that after failing to receive a positive response from the administration, they decided to proceed with the four-day shutdown.

School Vehicles Exempted

To ensure that students’ education and safety are not affected, school vans and school rickshaws have been exempted from the strike on humanitarian grounds. Their regular services for transporting children between homes and schools will continue.

The unions have appealed for all other rickshaw and taxi services, except those required for emergency purposes, to remain suspended during the four-day protest. Union workers are also expected to remain deployed at various locations and appeal to drivers who continue to operate to join the movement peacefully.

DeshGujarat