App-Based Cab Drivers Observe Strike At Mumbai CSMIA Airport; Demand Increased Fare & Action Against Car Pooling, Unauthorised Bike Taxis

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) experienced minor disruptions on Tuesday as a faction of app-based cab drivers went on strike. The protest targeted aggregator policies, with drivers demanding immediate regulatory action on fare structures. While flights continued operating normally, arriving passengers at Terminal-2 faced longer wait times, fewer ride-hailing vehicles at designated pickup bays, and soaring ride-hailing fees.

The strike focused primarily on drivers at the T2 pickup zone, who halted accepting bookings on major platforms like Ola and Uber. Drivers cited low profit margins, hefty platform commissions, and aggressive algorithms as the main reasons for the protest. Their main demands revolved around three key issues: payout revisions, fixed fares, and a crackdown on unregulated services, including restrictions on carpooling.

Drivers called for state-notified base tariffs and higher net per-kilometer earnings to keep pace with increasing operational and fuel expenses. They also demanded the elimination or strict regulation of multi-passenger pooling features on aggregator apps to safeguard per-trip revenues.

The Bombay State Transport Workers' Federation (BEST) said its strike did not impact Mumbai's bus services. The airport authorities issued a passenger advisory, advising travelers to plan ahead and consider alternative transportation methods due to the ongoing strike. Airport staff redirected passengers to conventional metered taxis, Cool Cabs, and nearby Mumbai Metro links to minimize inconvenience.

The Gig Workers Association's president, Keshav Sagar, expressed solidarity with the drivers and pointed to the authorities' persistent delays in establishing a fair pricing system. Drivers have repeatedly raised these concerns with transport officials without seeing any long-term resolution.