Online taxi fares surge as drivers continue ‘offline strike’ in Kerala

The ‘offline strike’ of drivers affiliated with online taxi aggregators has led to a rise in travel fares between platforms in the state despite a large number of vehicles being taken off the road.

The indefinite agitation involving the All Kerala Online Drivers Association Alliance (AKODUA) entered its second day on Wednesday.

Due to unusual increases in fares and delays in finding taxis, regular passengers were forced to take alternative measures. “I usually take a car ride from Thripunithura, where I work, to Infopark for around ₹250. Today the fare was showing above ₹450. Later, I chose to book a car ride again for around ₹250 when the normal fare was around ₹120,” IT employee Diana Francis said on Wednesday. He added that he preferred the bus and then the car for the return journey because the prices in taxi applications remained high.

Fare increases were evident on the routes. “I used to book a ride from Kakkanad to Palarivattom on a big riding platform for around 200 Indian rupees. When I checked today, I saw that it was over 500 Indian rupees,” said a private employee. Meanwhile, the platform showed a message that fees were increasing due to the increase in demand.

Protesting drivers said only 20% of about 35,000 vehicles in the aggregator sector were moving despite the strike. “Vehicles managed by fleet owners may be operating. We are contacting them and sensitizing them about our cause and urging them to join the strike,” AKODUA secretary David Daniel said.

While most motorists remained offline, cars and motorcycles were available almost as usual. However, due to the decrease in the number of vehicles due to the strike, wages also increased. “I took a ride from General Hospital to Palarivattom in the evening for ₹175. Usually this ride would cost only around ₹120,” said Aravind, an autorickshaw driver registered with a major ride-hailing app.

The alliance launched the strike with 11 demands, including fair wage revisions, driver welfare and an end to illegal bike taxis.

Meanwhile, protesting drivers staged a sit-in at Uber’s office in Kochi on Wednesday. Protesters said the company agreed to meet with union representatives on Thursday following police action.