Cab drivers in Hyderabad to begin ‘No AC Campaign’ from March 24

Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union wants cab-aggregators to implement a uniform fare structure similar to the government-mandated prepaid taxi fares, which reflect fuel costs, maintenance and fair compensation for the driver's services.

Hyderabad: Following their boycott of rides to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, cab drivers of Hyderabad will begin the ‘no air conditioning campaign’ from March 24, marking a protest against unfair pricing by cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido.

Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) president Shaik Salahuddin says the union will protest against the low fares by demonstrating their protests in different ways.

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The TGPWU demands that cab-aggregators implement a uniform fare structure similar to the government-mandated prepaid taxi fares, which reflect fuel costs, maintenance and fair compensation for the driver’s services. It also alleges that the apps now charge rates cheaper than auto-rickshaws for cabs, making earning difficult for those driving cabs.

By launching the campaign, the TGPWU urges customers to understand the financial challenges faced by the cab drivers. Highlighting that causing inconvenience to customers is not their intention, the union asks them to consider tipping cab drivers for turning on the AC during their rides.

With temperatures soaring in Hyderabad, cab rides without AC amid the city traffic will likely be uncomfortable for customers hailing services from the aggregators. Cab drivers will be intensifying their protest by surrendering their vehicles at the RTA in the week following the ‘no AC campaign’.

Welcomes Telangana Transport Department move
The TGPWU has announced its support to the Telangana Transport Department’s action against Uber Shuttle services for violating permit regulations.

The union, in a statement, said the seizure of 11 buses and penalties imposed on 40 bus operators highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of Motor Vehicle laws and the Aggregator Guidelines, 2020.