Kolkata's App Cab Strike Hits Commuters Hard

A 12-hour strike by Kolkata app cab and bike operators disrupted commuter services, as they demanded fare hikes and policy changes. The protest, led by CITU-affiliated unions, called for annual fare adjustments and measures against police harassment. Authorities maintained service levels despite the disruption.

Commuters in Kolkata faced significant disruptions on Thursday morning after around 7,000 app-based cabs and several thousand bikes stayed off the roads. The protest was an effort to push for fare hikes from the aggregators responsible for the services.

The CITU-affiliated Kolkata Ola Uber App Cab Operators and Drivers Union spearheaded the 12-hour strike, impacting many who have grown reliant on app-based transport. The union is demanding rational fare settings as per the Aggregate Law, with proposed rates of Rs 25 per km for non-AC cabs, Rs 30 for AC cabs, and Rs 12 a km for bikes.

Despite the protest, a transport department official reported that only about 15-20% of the city's 25,000 app-based cabs participated. The union has warned of an indefinite strike next month if their demands, including ending police harassment and ensuring adequate CNG supplies, are not addressed.