Telangana cab drivers call for #NoFareNoAir campaign against low fares, boycott lower fare cabs to Hyderabad airport

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), which is struggling to make ends meet despite operating cab services all day, has launched a campaign in Hyderabad called #LowFareNoAir to teach all cab aggregators like Ola and Uber a lesson about the cost of living involved in running a cab service.

As part of their #LowFareNoAir campaign, members of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union have agreed to boycott cab services if fares to the airport are less than Rs. 1,000 to 1,200, and to make airport travellers wait if fares are less than Rs. 400 to 500.

According to the Telangana Gig and Platforms Workers Union (TGPWU), the cost of a ride to and from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) is currently Rs. 300 to Rs. 600, and this price does not even cover fuel costs.

In addition, drivers must wait more than four to five hours to get a ride back to the city after dropping off a customer at the airport. Covering fuel costs becomes much more difficult for cab drivers, who must also pay a 30 percent fee to cab aggregators such as Uber and Ola after they have nothing left at the end of the day.

Shaik Salauddin, founder and state president of Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), said, "We started this #LowFareNoAir protest with 2,500 drivers to make the cab aggregators aware of the problems we drivers are facing due to the low fares and 30 percent commission. About 5,000 drivers have joined our protest flight against this case.

"Our brothers, the drivers of Ola and Uber, join our movement and demand higher wages and rates. But we also want to apologise to our customers who have to wait in long lines for cabs because of our silent protest. This is a struggle for survival, and we want our customers to understand the pain of the cab drivers." he added.

Abdul Nayeem, a member of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, said, "More and more of our OLA and Uber drivers are joining our struggle for better wages and a better life. We expect our drivers to earn Rs. 1,200 per 25–30 kilometre trip. We believe that a driver who travels between 45 and 50 miles per trip should be paid Rs. 1,700. We want these rates to be accepted by aggregator companies if they want us to pick up rides from the airport."

"The rates for rides to and from Hyderabad airport on the Uber app are Rs 400–500, which is about 40 km. How can cab drivers make a living with such low fares? We demand that cab aggregators increase their fares," tweeted one of the cab drivers.

"This is a serious problem. We ask cab aggregators to understand the pain of drivers who trusted them and tied their cabs to you. Most drivers bought new cars from a dealer. How are they supposed to pay their instalments, gas, mortgage, rent, and other day-to-day expenses? Even after a 12-hour journey, cab drivers in Hyderabad earn less than Rs 1,500," Shaik Taufeeq tweeted.

Meanwhile, in response to the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union's decision, the management of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport(RGIA) said, "Hi, please note that there is currently no shortage of cabs. We request our passengers utilise the permitted taxi services located next to the Aero Plaza or Pushpak buses at the E pick-up point. We also advise travellers to use safe and convenient cab services such as Meru, Sky Cabs, OHM E Logistics, and CHOIS. There are also numerous bus routes available for passengers, as follows: TSRTC local 162 trips with 28 destinations, TSRTC district 15 Trips with six destinations, and APRTC district 18 trips with 14 destinations."