Mumbai: Ola, Uber on strike today, several stranded

The commuters in Mumbai were facing surge prices of auto and taxi due to strike by the app-based Ola and Uber cabs.

The strike was started for an indefinite period on Sunday midnight and has now spread to cities such as Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad.

The strike has been called by Maharashtra Navnirman Vahtuk Sena, the transport wing of Raj Thackeray led MNS.

A media report quoted Union President of the wing saying that they would request cabs to not to operate. The president added that they will handle the issue in MNS-style in case the driver does not obey their commands. 

The report cited sources claiming that many drivers are expected to stay off the roads due to fear of being attacked. 

The cab drivers are demanding better earnings, incentives and monthly income. 

They said that the two companies had assured them a profit of Rs 1.5 lakh per month but now the situation has driven them into debts. They added that they are not even able to pay EMIs of their vehicles. 

Meanwhile, the transport officials have requested the Kaali-Peeli cabs and autorickshaw unions to run more vehicles from Sunday. 

This strike is expected to boost the autorickshaw and kaali-Peeli cabs which were disrupted after the popularity of app-based cabs in the city. 

The strike is announced for Monday in Mumbai and on Friday for Delhi.