Ola, Uber drivers protest in Mumbai, demand fare hike over increased fuel prices

New Delhi: In the wake of increased fuel prices, the Ola and Uber cabs drivers in Mumbai are demanding a hike in the minimum fare and charge per km. They are holding a protest in the city on Monday. Therefore following the strike, few cabs are likely to remain off-roads today. According to the report by Mumbai Mirror, the drivers further demanded that the bookings should be made only from the Aadhaar-verified numbers of the customers. They also want a check on the hiring of new cabs by the aggregators. The drivers, according to the report by Hindustan Times, want minimum fares to be between Rs 100 and Rs 150 and the charge per km between Rs 18 and Rs 23, depending upon the vehicle. Currently, Ola and Uber’s fare structures are based on lump-sum and not visible to passengers. There are around 45,000 to 50,000 app-based cabs in the city. People in Mumbai prefer these when compared to the conventional black-and-yellow taxis and autos. Because of the strike, the office-goers are suffering the most. Earlier, the app-based cab drivers had gone on a three-day strike in March under the banner of Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, the transport wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Meanwhile, Petrol and diesel rates have decreased by around 30 paise today. A litre of petrol in Mumbai is being sold at Rs 86.91 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.30) and diesel is at Rs 78.54 per litre (decrease by 0.28).