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Journalism of Courage
App-based cab drivers operating at the Aeromall have announced a one-day strike on December 11 in Pune, demanding that Ola and Uber comply with the government-mandated fare structure introduced in January this year.
The strike is expected to disrupt Ola and Uber services at the Aeromall, potentially causing inconvenience for passengers seeking rides upon exiting the Pune airport. The drivers are also calling for the Pune RTO’s intervention regarding the permit processes for both companies.
Kesha Kshirsagar, spokesperson for the Indian Gig Workers Front (IGWF), stated that around 300 drivers from his union will participate in the strike. “Numerous cases of overcharging have been reported in the airport area, yet neither the RTO, the airport authority, nor the Aeromall management has taken any action. This situation benefits only the companies, leaving both passengers and drivers at a disadvantage,” he said.
During the strike, drivers plan to boycott Ola and Uber rides and instead operate independently by taking bookings through a common WhatsApp group. The boycott is set to continue until December 15.
While the case regarding Ola and Uber’s operational permits in Pune is under review by the State Transport Appellate Tribunal (STAT), the drivers allege that the Airport Authority of India and the Aeromall management continue to collaborate with these aggregator companies despite unresolved issues.
The driver unions have submitted a formal letter to the Pune Airport Director and the Aeromall management, demanding immediate action on their grievances.
However, Y S Rajput, vice-president of Aeromall, stated that while the drivers have the right to protest, they will not be allowed to stage the strike within airport premises. “They should conduct their strike outside the airport premises to avoid causing inconvenience to passengers. If their actions disrupt passenger services, we will notify the police,” he warned.
The revised cab fares, introduced by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in January this year, were based on the recommendations of the Khatua Committee. However, Ola and Uber have so far refused to implement the updated fare structure.
