Ola, Uber drivers' strike continues

Mumbai: Ola and Uber drivers continued their strike on Wednesday as the negotiation with the management over the base price has failed. The base price is currently Rs 40 and the drivers have demanded to increase it to Rs 100. Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh (MRRKS) had held a meeting till 3 am on Tuesday night with the Ola and Uber officials.

Speaking with The Asian Age, Govind Mohite, general secretary of MRRKS said that the strike would continue till the demands are fulfilled. A meeting will again be held with Ola and Uber officials on Thursday.

The sources in MRRKS said that the disagreement is on two points, first is the base price should be increased from Rs 40 to Rs 100 and second is that the incentive on riding time per minute should be Rs 1.20. According to the sources, the company is ready to increase Rs 4.80 per km to Rs 12 per km but it will scrap the incentive on the riding time.

The city has around 50,000 app-based cars. The drivers were demanding  a minimum base fare of Rs 100 to Rs 150 depending on the range of the cars, while the per kilometre fare should be increased to Rs 23 from Rs 18.

Uber sources said that the talks with the cab drivers are in the final stage; the deadlock will be resolved soon. Mr Mohite said that if the meeting were inconclusive, the union would approach the government.

Last week, leader of Opposition in the Legi-slative Council, Dhananjay Munde and Mumbai NCP president Sachin Ahir met transport minister Diwa-kar Raote over ongoing cri-ses between drivers and cab aggregator companies.