Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 5: Drivers associated with Ola, Uber, and Rapido across Maharashtra will suspend passenger services for a full day on October 9, intensifying their demand for fare revisions and protesting government inaction against illegal bike taxi operations. The strike has been called by the Bharatiya Gig Kamgar Manch, led by union leader Keshav Kshirsagar, who also announced a statewide “jail bharo” agitation.

Kshirsagar stated that despite months of protests—including hunger strikes and FIRs—authorities have failed to curb the "illegal" operations of bike taxis by aggregator companies. He accused Ola, Uber, and Rapido of flouting state transport rules by continuing to run bike taxis, and criticised the transport department for turning a blind eye.

The strike coincides with a major financial conference in Mumbai, a timing the union hopes will help draw Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attention to their demands. "We want the PM and the nation to see how aggregator platforms are trampling on government regulations," Kshirsagar said in a statement.

He warned that the shutdown, like the one held in July, could severely impact public transport and create significant inconvenience for commuters.

During the previous strike, services were completely halted, and even the Mumbai airport administration had issued a public advisory urging passengers to make alternate travel arrangements.

While aggregator companies have not issued official responses, insiders suggest that services may still run in some areas, as not all drivers are part of the union.

The strike underlines growing unrest among gig economy workers over pricing policies, regulatory gaps, and lack of protection in the rapidly expanding app-based transport sector.