In a significant escalation of protests, the Telangana App-Based Drivers Forum (TADF) has announced an “All-India Breakdown” by app-based taxi drivers on February 7, calling for a nationwide halt of services operated through platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido. The proposed strike is aimed at drawing attention to what drivers describe as worsening financial distress, opaque fare structures and growing uncertainty in working conditions.
According to TADF, despite the notification of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, aggregator companies continue to determine fares unilaterally, with little transparency or regulatory oversight. The drivers’ body claims that the lack of strict enforcement of these guidelines has resulted in shrinking driver incomes, mounting debts and an increasingly unsustainable livelihood model for thousands of app-based workers across the country.
Falling Earnings, Rising Costs
The forum has criticized both the Central and state governments for failing to notify minimum base fares, a gap that it says has allowed aggregator platforms to increase commission charges while steadily reducing drivers’ net earnings. Drivers allege that while passengers often face surge pricing, the benefits of higher fares rarely reach those behind the wheel.
TADF said that app-based drivers are bearing the full burden of rising fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, insurance premiums and operational risks, with no safety net or income assurance. “The cost of running a vehicle keeps going up, but driver payouts keep falling. This model is no longer viable,” the forum stated.
Impact on Passengers and Market Stability
The drivers’ body also highlighted the impact of weak regulation on passengers, pointing to frequent surge pricing, inconsistent fares and lack of accountability from aggregator companies. According to the forum, the absence of fare regulation has created instability for both drivers and commuters, undermining trust in app-based transport services.
Key Demands of the Protest
Among the key demands raised by TADF are:
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Immediate notification and enforcement of minimum base fares for app-based taxis
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Transparent fare calculation mechanisms monitored by regulators
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A ban on the use of private, non-commercial vehicles for app-based transport services
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Reduction in aggregator commission charges to ensure fair driver earnings
Background of Ongoing Protests
The proposed nationwide shutdown follows similar protests staged on December 25 and December 31 last year, during which drivers had warned of deteriorating pay structures, especially during peak demand periods. With no resolution forthcoming, the forum says drivers have been left with no option but to escalate the agitation to a national level.
If the strike goes ahead as planned, commuters in major cities could face significant disruption in app-based cab services on February 7, adding pressure on authorities to intervene and address the concerns raised by drivers.
