Telangana, March 23, 2025
As the summer heat rises, passengers looking for Ola and Uber services at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad may face even more discomfort due to perceived unfair fare structures.
To draw the state government’s attention, the workers’ union has launched a ‘no AC campaign’ that will begin tomorrow, March 24, and will last until April 2024. Their goal is to advocate for a fare of Rs 16-18 per kilometer for air-conditioned rides, as opposed to the Rs 10-12 per kilometer offered by ride-hailing platforms today.
Shaik Salauddin, president of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU), stated that these platforms charge a 30% commission on each ride, resulting in low pay for drivers, particularly for airport trips.
The union’s concerns stem from the fact that a single trip can take 5-6 hours, with drivers frequently waiting in parking lines for over three hours after drop-off. They are advocating for fare parity with government-mandated prepaid taxi rates that cover fuel costs, maintenance, and adequate compensation for drivers’ services.
Senior TGPWU officials have expressed a desire for cab aggregators to adopt a standardized fare system similar to the government-mandated prepaid taxi fares, which accurately reflect operational costs and ensure fair remuneration for drivers which “No AC Campaign” advocates.
