Hyderabad cab drivers boycott rides to RGI Airport citing low fares

Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union, a union of gig workers in Telangana, which also includes cab drivers, has said that the boycott is over the unfair pricing by cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido.

Hyderabad: Cab drivers of Hyderabad have boycotted accepting rides to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad citing unfair fares.

Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU), a union of gig workers and platform workers in the state of Telangana, which also includes cab drivers, has said that the boycott is over the unfair pricing by cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido.

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TGPWU president, Shaik Salauddin, says that the cab-hailing platforms are charging 30 per cent on each ride, leaving the drivers with meager returns from trips to the airport.

“A trip to the airport is time taking, drivers lose at least 5-6 hours in one trip, as they have to wait at the parking line for over 3 hours at times at the airport after every drop, before getting another ride request to come back into the city,” Salauddin says, adding that spending the same amount of time within the city is more beneficial for drivers.

The TGPWU is now demanding 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.

Meanwhile, those travelling to the airport and from the airport into the city are finding it difficult with private taxi operators charging exorbitant amounts as fares, taking advantage of the situation.

No AC campaign:

The driver associated with cab-aggregator, will also soon launch the no AC services marking a protest against low fares set by Ola, Uber, Rapido and other cab hailing services.

Drivers allege that the apps charge rates cheaper than auto-rickshaws for cabs.

Cab drivers in Hyderabad and other major cities held similar protests in 2022 due to unfair pricing set by aggregators.