2 weeks ago
3,500 App-Based Taxis in Bhopal to Strike for Two Days
Taxi drivers in a city called Bhopal are upset.
They drive cars that people book using phone apps.
About 3,500 of these taxis will stop working for two days.
The strike starts on Tuesday, August 18.
The drivers say they are not earning enough money.
They say fuel, repairs, insurance, and loan payments cost too much.
They want the government to decide how much taxi rides should cost.
They will hold a protest meeting on August 19.
They will give a letter to the Chief Minister and the transport minister.
If nothing changes, they say they will stop working for even longer.
About 3,500 app-based taxis in Bhopal will stop operating from midnight Monday for a two-day strike starting August 18.
The strike was announced by Sanyukta Morcha, comprising the Bhopal Taxi Drivers' Association and the Taxi Union Welfare Committee.
Drivers cite a financial crisis caused by aggregator companies' arbitrary practices, rising costs, and the administration's failure to act on their demands.
A sit-in protest will be held at Board Office Square on August 19, followed by submission of a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the transport minister.
The Morcha has warned of an indefinite strike if the government and aggregator companies do not accept their demands for fair fares.
- Who
- About 3,500 app-based taxi drivers in Bhopal, organized under Sanyukta Morcha, which includes the Bhopal Taxi Drivers' Association and the Taxi Union Welfare Committee.
- What
- A two-day strike and sit-in protest demanding that the government decide fair fare rates and curb alleged arbitrary practices of aggregator companies.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; the sit-in protest will be held at Board Office Square.
- When
- Starting August 18, with taxis stopping from midnight Monday; a sit-in protest is scheduled for August 19.
- Why
- Drivers say they face a financial crisis due to aggregator companies' practices, rising costs, and the administration's failure to act on their demands.
Taxi Drivers' Position
Aggregator Companies and Administration
Fare regulation
Taxi Drivers' Position
Drivers demand that the government decide fare rates, saying current fares cannot cover fuel, maintenance, insurance, loan instalments, and family needs.
Aggregator Companies and Administration
Aggregator companies and the administration have not accepted the demands, with the administration accused of failing to act on them.
Payment structure
Taxi Drivers' Position
Drivers say payments are now based mostly on distance, unlike 2014 when base fare, time charges, and per-kilometre rates were all paid, and a mere 20-30% fare increase would not solve the problem.
Aggregator Companies and Administration
Aggregator companies continue their current payment practices, which drivers describe as arbitrary.
Key facts
- Number of taxis on strike
- Approximately 3,500
- Strike duration
- Two days from August 18
- Protest location
- Board Office Square, Bhopal
- Organizers
- Sanyukta Morcha (Bhopal Taxi Drivers' Association and Taxi Union Welfare Committee)
- Primary demand
- Government to decide fare rates
- Memorandum addressed to
- Chief Minister and transport minister
- Warning
- Indefinite strike if demands are not accepted
- Spokesperson
- Rajesh Kumar Nagle, general secretary, Bhopal Taxi Drivers' Association
Sources
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