If you’re struggling to book an Uber or an Ola cab this morning, it’s because thousands of drivers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are on strike. The drivers are demanding better perks, accident insurance among other things from the cab aggregators. They also want the companies to stop adding any more new cars, stop ride-sharing services, and increase the current minimum rate of Rs 6 per kilometre. Recently Bengaluru and Hyderabad also saw similar strikes.

However, not all Uber and Ola cabs are off the roads. But waiting time is typically around 25 minutes, and many drivers are cancelling on the customers. The ones that are operating though, are doing it clandestinely, to ensure they don’t attract the ire of fellow drivers who are on strike. They are also avoiding Delhi’s Connaught Place area (the central business district) as there is a protest march in the area by striking drivers.

The strike has been called by a body of Uber and Ola drivers called Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi, which claims to have nearly 2,000 members, The association has threatened to go on an indefinite strike starting Friday till their demands are met.

Uber did not immediately have a comment and said they would react if services were hit significantly. Ola refused to comment on the strike.

---