Auto, cab drivers to boycott Ola, Uber in Chennai

CHENNAI: Ride-hailing services in Chennai are likely to be disrupted from Saturday as a section of auto and cab drivers plan to indefinitely boycott aggregators like Ola and Uber, citing 25-40% commissions that eat into their earnings.
Drivers have stated that they will continue operating through apps like Namma Yatri that charge a fixed daily subscription fee instead of commissions.
Meanwhile, auto drivers unaffiliated to any app-based service have announced their own fare structure—Rs 50 as a base fare, followed by Rs 18 per km.
"We have been demanding a fare revision for 12 years, as directed by the Madras high court, but the state govt has yet to act. The transport minister has repeatedly said the proposal is awaiting cabinet approval," said Zahir Hussain A, coordinator of the Confederation of Drivers’ Unions, Chennai.
Aggregator rules, meant to regulate peak-hour surcharges and commission percentages, have been stalled for years. "With commissions as high as 40%, we are sometimes forced to charge above the app-estimated fares, leading to conflicts with passengers. This indefinite strike and our new fare system aim to resolve these issues," he added at a press meet on Wednesday.
When asked about possible govt action for not following the official fare structure, drivers said they were prepared to face consequences. "We have no choice. We need to sustain our livelihoods, pay rent, clear loans and support our children’s education. We are not asking for crores of rupees from the govt. We are seeking just a simple order announcing revised fares," Hussain said.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. D Amit, a Mumbai native working in Taramani, recalled how auto drivers in Chennai never adhered to the fares fixed in 2013, even before ride-hailing apps gained popularity. "They didn’t even have fare meters for namesake and often overcharged passengers, especially newcomers to the city. It’s hard to imagine the struggle of a commuter unfamiliar with Tamil trying to negotiate fares with auto drivers here," he said.