Bengaluru: Bengaluru’s already stretched urban transport network came under additional strain on Saturday as app-based cab and auto drivers joined an all-India strike, leading to widespread disruption across several parts of the city. The strike, called by app-based driver unions, resulted in reduced availability of vehicles on major aggregator platforms and long waiting times for commuters.
Passengers reported repeated ride cancellations, surge pricing and difficulty in securing trips, especially during the morning peak hours. Key corridors such as Outer Ring Road, Sarjapur Road and airport routes were among the worst affected as demand outstripped supply.
Reduced availability and surge pricing reported
With a large number of drivers reportedly staying offline in support of the strike, aggregator apps showed limited vehicle availability through the day. Many users said they had to try multiple times before securing a booking, while others failed to get rides altogether.
Commuters travelling to Kempegowda International Airport reported delays and higher fares due to limited cab supply. In tech corridors and high-density residential areas, fares rose sharply because of surge pricing triggered by demand spikes.
Some passengers said estimated arrival times kept increasing, while others saw bookings cancelled by drivers shortly after acceptance.
An Iblur resident said she waited over an hour to get a cab or auto and still faced difficulty despite higher displayed fares. She added that even after agreeing to pay more, several drivers declined the ride.
Drivers seek offline bookings
Several commuters reported that some drivers who were operating informally requested passengers to cancel app bookings and pay in cash or through direct digital transfer instead. According to users, drivers said this would help them avoid platform commissions and fare controls.
Such offline trip requests increased confusion among passengers, with some agreeing due to urgency while others declined over safety and accountability concerns. Transport experts note that offline rides booked outside platforms may not carry the same insurance and tracking safeguards.
Union says protest is regulatory, not political
In Karnataka, the strike call was led by the Karnataka App-based Workers Union (KAWU), which said the protest is aimed at securing regulatory reforms and fare protections for drivers working with aggregator platforms.
Union representatives said they have written to both Union and State transport ministers seeking immediate intervention in the app-based transport sector. Their key demands include notification of a minimum base fare structure for aggregator rides and stricter regulation of platform practices.
The union is also seeking a ban on the use of private, non-commercial vehicles for commercial passenger transport through aggregator apps, arguing that it distorts competition and affects the livelihood of licensed commercial drivers.
Drivers log out instead of street protests
KAWU leaders said that in Bengaluru, drivers chose not to stage large road demonstrations but instead expressed protest by refusing to log in to aggregator platforms. This method, they said, reduces the risk of confrontation while still making the impact of the strike visible.
Union representatives described the action as part of a coordinated national effort by app-based driver groups across multiple cities. They said the goal is to push for uniform rules governing commissions, pricing, incentives and working conditions.
According to driver groups, fluctuating fares, high platform commissions and incentive-linked targets have made earnings unstable. They argue that without a notified minimum fare and transparent rate card, drivers remain vulnerable to algorithm-driven pricing.
Impact on daily commuters
The strike once again highlighted Bengaluru’s heavy dependence on app-based mobility for last-mile and flexible transport. With bus and metro networks already operating near capacity in peak hours, many office-goers rely on cabs and autos booked through apps.
Tech corridor employees, airport passengers and hospital visitors were among the most affected groups. Some companies reportedly advised employees to work from home where possible or adjust travel timings.
Transport analysts say recurring disruptions in the aggregator sector underline the need for a clearer regulatory framework that balances commuter affordability with driver welfare.
Call for structured policy framework
Policy observers suggest that state-level aggregator guidelines need faster implementation, including fare floors, commission caps and mandatory social security measures for drivers. They say a predictable structure benefits both drivers and passengers by reducing uncertainty and conflict.
They also recommend integrated urban mobility planning that reduces overdependence on any single mode of transport.
Conclusion
Saturday’s strike by app-based cab and auto drivers caused significant inconvenience across Bengaluru, exposing the fragile balance between platform-based mobility and driver livelihoods. With unions pressing for fare regulation and stronger rules, government response in the coming weeks could shape the future of app-based transport services in the city.