Drivers for Ola, Uber, and Rapido are observing a nationwide strike today, February 7, 2026, impacting transportation services in major Indian cities. The strike, dubbed "All India Breakdown," is expected to last for six hours and is organized by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) along with other labor union bodies. The unions are protesting against unfair pay, poor working conditions, and lack of regulation.

The primary grievances of the drivers revolve around low fares and the absence of a regulated fare system. According to the unions, ride-hailing companies continue to fix fares arbitrarily, which negatively impacts the drivers' earnings. They are demanding the government to notify minimum base fares and end the misuse of private vehicles for commercial rides. The drivers argue that despite the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, platforms are not transparent or consistent in determining fares.

Another significant issue raised by the drivers is the mandatory installation of panic buttons in their vehicles. The Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha stated that while the central government has approved 140 panic button device providers, the state government has declared nearly 70% of these companies unauthorized. Consequently, drivers are being forced to remove previously installed devices and spend approximately ₹12,000 to install new ones, causing them severe financial hardship.

In addition to fare-related issues and the panic button mandate, drivers are also concerned about the increasing number of auto-rickshaws due to the open permit policy, which leads to a loss of income. They also allege that victims of accidents involving illegal bike taxis are denied insurance benefits.

The strike is expected to cause considerable disruption to app-based transport services in metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Pune. Commuters are advised to seek alternative transportation arrangements. The unions are urging the government to take immediate action and address their long-standing concerns, emphasizing that while the companies continue to profit, the drivers are being exploited. They are demanding fair fares, better regulations, and enforcement of aggregator guidelines to ensure better working conditions and fair compensation for their services.