Delhi-NCR Taxi, Auto Drivers Strike Over Stalled Fare Revision

Commuters brace for transit chaos as 3-day agitation begins

The wheels came to a near-halt across Delhi and the National Capital Region on Thursday as taxi and auto-rickshaw unions pulled their vehicles off the roads, launching a three-day strike that threatens to disrupt daily commutes for hundreds of thousands of office-goers, students and everyday travellers.

From May 21 to 23, drivers affiliated with multiple unions are staying off duty to press demands for a fare revision that hasn't budged in close to 15 years, even as fuel costs have climbed steadily and app-based platforms have allegedly slashed their earnings. The agitation, coordinated under the banner of the All India Motor Transport Congress, is expected to hit transport networks across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and surrounding areas.

"The condition is very bad," said Narendra Tiwari, who drives a taxi in the Delhi-NCR region. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the strike, Tiwari pointed to the sharp cuts in platform payments. "Rapido was paying ₹30 per kilometre from April 18 to 25, which has now been reduced to ₹15-16. We are protesting from May 21 to 23, so let's see what happens."

A decade-and-a-half without fare hike

The core grievance centres on fares frozen at 2011 levels. In a letter submitted to the Delhi lieutenant governor, chief minister, transport minister and police commissioner earlier this week, the Chalak Shakti Union laid out the case: taxi fares have remained unchanged for nearly 15 years despite relentless increases in fuel and operating expenses.

Drivers are squeezed on multiple fronts. CNG, petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply. Vehicle maintenance, permits, insurance and fitness certificates have become costlier. Inflation has eroded what little margin they had. Yet the rates passengers pay remain frozen in time.

"Taxi fares are still being charged at old rates despite rising inflation, which has severely affected drivers' livelihoods," the union said in its statement to authorities.

Platform payments hit new lows

The strike also reflects deepening friction between drivers and app-based cab aggregators. Ola, Uber and Rapido have become lightning rods for frustration, accused by unions of operating with little regard for driver welfare.

Dinesh Kumar, another driver, spoke of the cascade effect. "There is no price in the market. We do not even get many rides. I would appeal to the government to pay some attention to taxi fares as well," he said.

Drivers allege that platforms cut per-kilometre rates unilaterally, offer fewer ride assignments, and maintain opaque algorithms that leave them without recourse. One driver noted that his platform's payment fell by half within days—from ₹30 per km to ₹15-16—a cut that directly translates to reduced daily income.

Fuel prices add to the squeeze

The timing of the strike coincides with another blow to driver incomes. On Thursday, fuel prices ticked upward once again. Petrol in Delhi rose by 87 paise to ₹98.64 per litre, while diesel climbed 91 paise to ₹91.58 per litre. For drivers running on thin margins, every rupee matters.

The unions have warned that if the Delhi government does not respond substantively to their demands, the protest could intensify. "App-based companies like Ola, Uber and Rapido are operating arbitrarily, and drivers in Delhi-NCR are becoming victims of serious economic exploitation," the Chalak Shakti Union alleged.

What commuters should expect

For the next three days, auto-rickshaws and taxis are likely to be scarce across the capital region. Metro services continue, but peak-hour crowding is expected to spike. Those relying on ride-hailing apps may face surge pricing or unavailable rides. Some commuters may turn to buses or carpools, while others may simply postpone travel if possible.

The strike reflects a broader tension playing out in India's gig economy. On one side are drivers struggling to sustain livelihoods in an inflationary environment. On the other are platform companies and a government that has been slow to intervene on fare structures. For now, the burden falls on commuters caught between these competing pressures.

The union's ultimatum is clear: act on fare revision and aggregator regulation, or expect larger disruptions ahead.