No AC Campaign: Ola, Uber, Rapido Drivers in Hyderabad Start New Protest – Here’s Why!
Hyderabad, 23 March – (www.deccanlive.com): Cab drivers working for Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Hyderabad have announced a “No AC” campaign starting March 24. According to a social media post by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, this campaign is a protest against high commission charges imposed by cab aggregators.
Earlier, Hyderabad’s cab drivers had gained attention by boycotting rides to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Now, they have decided to take their protest further by turning off the air conditioning in their cabs to highlight their issues. This move aims to bring attention to their demands and push for fairer earnings.
The “No AC” campaign by cab drivers in Hyderabad aims to send a strong message to ride-hailing companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The drivers’ union is demanding that cab aggregators implement a new fare system similar to the government-mandated prepaid taxi fares, which account for fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and fair compensation for drivers.
This is not the first time such a protest has taken place. In April 2024, the union also launched a “No AC” campaign, arguing that drivers earn only ₹10-12 per kilometer, while the cost of running a cab with air conditioning goes up to ₹16-18 per kilometer.
Union president Sheikh Salauddin, speaking to Telangana Today, said that the union is fighting for its rights and that cab aggregators are unfairly deciding fares. He also stated that they will continue their protest in different ways, and the “No AC” campaign is just one of them.
