Ola, Uber drivers' demands: Meet with Transport Commissioner postponed again

Bengaluru: A decision on the demands put forth by Ola and Uber drivers has been delayed yet again. On December 30, in a meeting with Transport Commissioner M.K. Aiyappa, driver unions had raised their grievances on the lack of sufficient compensation and promised incentives from cab aggregators.

“The decision was supposed to be given in a week's time. But it was postponed again on Monday as the commissioner was busy. It should take place on Tuesday. If our demands are not met, we will go on strike,” said Mr Kiran Gowda, state president, Karunada Rajya Taxi Owners’ and Drivers’ Association.

“We are against pool services as well as we suffer losses. We also cannot meet the number of trips demanded by the cab companies when we drive shared services. If we don't meet the fixed number, we do not get incentives," Mr Gowda said.

As of now, both the cab aggregators, Ola and Uber, are under intense heat. Pulled between the demands of customers, drivers and laws of the government, the two companies are expected to take important decision this month.

“The drivers are set 18 trips per day as the target for incentives. It is impossible to meet the target and will require 16 working hours daily. With the shared services, it becomes even more difficult to meet the target. If the number is reduced, shared services will be agreeable to the drivers,” Mr Gowda said.

Over the next 15 days, the decision on shared services, which the commuters are supporting strongly, will be finalised by the Transport Department, industry observers said.