Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 6: Commuters across India may face travel disruptions on Saturday, February 7, as drivers associated with app-based ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber and Rapido have called for a nationwide strike, termed the ‘All India Breakdown’.
The protest has been organised by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) along with other national labour organisations. As part of the strike, drivers are expected to simultaneously switch off their ride-hailing applications, affecting cab, auto and bike taxi services in several cities.
Announcing the protest on social media platform X, TGPWU stated, “App-based transport workers across India will observe an All-India Breakdown on 7 Feb 26. No minimum fares. No regulation. Endless exploitation.”
In a letter addressed to Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, the union highlighted what it described as long-pending and unresolved issues faced by app-based transport workers. The union alleged that the absence of government-fixed fare systems allows aggregator companies such as Ola, Uber, Rapido and Porter to arbitrarily determine fares.
According to the union, this has resulted in income insecurity, exploitation and unsustainable working conditions for millions of drivers nationwide, while aggregator platforms continue to make profits.
Urging immediate government intervention, the union claimed that a lack of regulation is pushing app-based drivers towards poverty.
Referring to the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, the union demanded regulatory oversight, transparent fare structures and safeguards for driver livelihoods. The key demands include:
• Immediate notification of minimum base fares by Central and state governments for app-based transport services, including autos, cabs and bike taxis, in consultation with recognised driver unions, in line with the Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
• A strict ban on the use of private, non-commercial vehicles for commercial passenger and goods transport, or mandatory conversion of such vehicles to commercial category as per the Motor Vehicles Act and related rules.
While the scale of disruption may vary from region to region, commuters are advised to brace for inconvenience, particularly during peak morning and evening hours. Passengers relying on app-based cabs, autos and bike taxis have been advised to plan alternative modes of transport on February 7.