Thousands of commuters across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula are facing travel uncertainty after drivers associated with app-based cab platforms such as Ola, Uber and InDrive launched a week-long protest, intensifying concerns over public transportation in the rapidly growing Tricity region.
The agitation, which began with a large gathering of drivers at Chandigarh’s Sector 25 Rally Ground, is set to continue until June 16. During this period, participating drivers have announced that they will not accept ride bookings between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, a move expected to affect more than 50,000 passengers who depend on app-based transportation for work, medical appointments, education and daily travel.
The protest has once again brought attention to the challenges facing India’s gig economy workforce, where drivers argue that rising operational costs and platform commissions are steadily eroding their earnings despite growing demand for ride-hailing services.
At the center of the dispute is Chandigarh’s Aggregator Policy 2025, a regulatory framework introduced to govern app-based taxi operators, improve passenger safety and create a more balanced ecosystem for drivers and transport aggregators. Driver unions claim that although the policy was officially notified nearly a year ago, its implementation remains incomplete.
Union representatives have accused authorities of delaying enforcement despite multiple rounds of discussions. According to protesting drivers, the absence of effective implementation has allowed aggregator companies to continue operating under conditions that they believe are unfair to both drivers and passengers.
“The policy was designed to protect drivers as well as commuters. If it remains only on paper, the problems continue,” one union leader said while addressing drivers gathered at the protest site.
The demand for higher fares has emerged as another major issue fueling the agitation. Drivers argue that the existing fare structure no longer reflects the economic realities of operating commercial vehicles. With fuel prices, CNG rates, vehicle maintenance costs, insurance premiums, permit fees and loan repayments steadily increasing over recent years, many drivers say their take-home earnings have shrunk considerably.
According to the unions, the current base fare of ₹25 per kilometre is no longer sustainable. Drivers are seeking an increase to ₹35 per kilometre, claiming that the revision is necessary to offset rising expenses and ensure a reasonable livelihood.
Many drivers also point to the hidden costs associated with ride-hailing services. Unlike traditional point-to-point travel calculations, app-based drivers often spend significant time and fuel reaching passengers before a trip officially begins. These unpaid distances, they argue, add substantially to their operating burden.
Another major flashpoint involves commissions charged by digital platforms. Drivers allege that aggregators deduct between 30 and 40 percent of their earnings through commissions, software-related charges and various service fees. As a result, many claim they are compelled to remain online for exceptionally long hours to meet income targets and platform incentives.
Several drivers participating in the protest said the pressure to achieve incentive-linked goals often forces them to stay on the road for 14 to 16 hours a day. Transport experts have frequently warned that such extended working hours can lead to driver fatigue, reduced concentration and a heightened risk of road accidents.
The protest has also reignited debate over the growing presence of bike taxi services and the alleged commercial use of private vehicles. Driver unions argue that licensed commercial operators bear significant regulatory costs, including permits and taxes, while some private vehicles operating through digital platforms allegedly avoid similar obligations.
Protest leaders have urged authorities to crack down on what they describe as unauthorized transport operations, claiming that such practices create unfair competition and further impact the income of registered commercial drivers.
As app-based cab availability declines during protest hours, many residents are turning to alternative modes of transportation. Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses have emerged as the primary fallback option for commuters. The public transport network, which operates dozens of local and suburban routes across the Tricity, has witnessed increased passenger interest as residents search for reliable travel alternatives.
However, the disruption is creating particular difficulties for vulnerable groups. Patients traveling to major healthcare institutions such as PGIMER and Government Medical College and Hospital Sector 32, along with their attendants, are among those expected to face the greatest inconvenience. Railway passengers, interstate bus travelers, senior citizens, women and school-going children may also encounter challenges, especially during the afternoon hours when temperatures remain high.
Some commuters have expressed concern that reduced cab availability could lead to higher fares in the informal transport sector. Auto-rickshaw users fear instances of overcharging, a recurring issue during transport disruptions when demand exceeds supply.
For many residents, the strike highlights the growing dependence of urban centers on app-based mobility services. Over the past decade, ride-hailing platforms have become an integral part of everyday transportation in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, filling critical gaps between public transport networks and private vehicle ownership.
Shreyas Iyer Appointed India’s New T20I Captain as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Earns Maiden Call-Up
Read More
MBA Student Babita Pandey Missing During Uttarkashi Trek: Massive Search Operation Continues, Two Friends Detained
Read More
Mohali Office Horror: Woman Stabbed to Death by Ex-Partner After Breakup, Accused Attempts Suicide
Read MoreTransport analysts note that the outcome of the current standoff could have wider implications beyond the Tricity. The dispute reflects broader national debates surrounding gig workers’ rights, platform accountability, fare transparency and regulatory oversight in India’s expanding digital transportation sector.
Attention is now focused on the Chandigarh Administration and the Transport Department, which face increasing pressure to engage with driver representatives and seek a resolution before the disruption escalates further. With drivers maintaining that they will continue their protest until June 16 and commuters bracing for another week of inconvenience, the coming days may prove crucial in determining whether dialogue can bridge the gap between regulatory promises and the realities faced by those who keep the city’s wheels moving.