Bhopal Cab Strike: Online Cab Aggregators Protest Against Bike Taxis, Lower Fares; Local Taxis Slam Ola, Uber For Disrupting Business

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Ola, Uber, and Rapido drivers have launched a strike against bike taxis and lower fares, causing inconvenience for daily commuters on August 18-20. Bike taxis continued operating while most four-wheelers stayed off the road. FPJ Digital Team attempted to book a cab from Ravindra Bhavan to Shri Ram Colony via Hoshangabad Road, finding Ola unable to provide service with fares almost double the usual rate.

When the Uber driver agreed to take the ride, he admitted there was a strike and claimed drivers were puncturing tires of cabs taking fares. The same situation occurred for shorter distances between Polytechnic Square and Kohefiza, where fares were inflated to Rs 250. Both Ola and Uber drivers, along with local taxi unions, protested at Board Office Square in MP Nagar, with local taxi drivers demanding regulation of online cab aggregators and bike taxi drivers arguing private vehicles are being used for commercial purposes.

Union leader Salman Ali Khan stated the drivers would remain on strike until August 20, demanding private bikes not be used for taxi purposes and a fixed base fare of Rs 80, with rates aligned to government policies of Rs 25 per kilometer.