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Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
App-based taxi drivers suspend strike in Mumbai and Pune; fare regulation still pending
Drivers of app-based taxis in Maharashtra temporarily stopped their four-day-old strike on Friday, citing financial pressure and the need to take care of their families. But they still insist on their demand to implement government-notified fare rates across all aggregator platforms. Drivers associated with platforms such as Ola and Uber have been getting between Rs 8 and Rs 12 per km, which they argue is unsustainable. They demanded that the fares set by the Regional Transport Authority (RTO) be made mandatory for all aggregator services run through mobile apps. The existing RTO-notified fare for taxis is Rs 32 per km for cabs. The Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, the union that organised the protest, said that drivers will charge this rate of Rs 32 per km, but not the app-based fare. They will look at fare calculations given on a website named Only Meter. 'Drivers will report the app-displayed distance on the Only Meter site and charge passengers as per the fare indicated there, rather than applying the app-based fare estimate,' the union said in a statement. The union said that this system was already in use in Pune and Mumbai. Although there might be an initial confusion for people travelling by bus, the union said, it will ultimately help passengers and drivers alike in the long term. Passengers are also reportedly in favour of the new system, the union added. The protest, which started with a sit-in at Azad Maidan, got a mixed response. But it picked up pace after the death of a driver from Nalasopara in an apparent suicide, reportedly under financial stress as he was unable to pay his car loan EMIs. The incident attracted more drivers to the protest site in a sign of solidarity. To resolve the issues, the union and RTO officials held a meeting on Friday, where drivers once again pleaded for the introduction of fixed fares. The RTO, however, has requested time until July 22 to respond to the demands. Dr Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, said the strike has not been withdrawn. 'The online cab and rickshaw strike in Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune cities has been temporarily suspended. The government has been given time till Tuesday, and if the demands are not accepted, the strike will resume from Wednesday. Now the fare will be charged at the government rate. Passengers and drivers can agree on the fare at the government meter rate by visiting the website The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers' (IFAT) has also instructed the drivers to return to work. 'The strike is still going on. We have just instructed our drivers to accept rides on the applications and politely inform the rider that government meter-based rates will be applicable. The ride will be cancelled (on the app) and the customer will be provided good service,' said Prashant Sawardekar, president of the IFAT. 'There have been unfortunate cases of suicides of drivers and some elements have blocked cabs plying on roads and broken them down. This is affecting the livelihood of people and we thought we should not do it,' he added. Sawardekar further said the leaders had met BJP state chief Ravindra Chavan to resolve the issues. 'If our demands are not met, we will demand a meeting with the chief minister next,' he said.

IOL News
07-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
From St. Petersburg to Soweto: A BRICS opportunity to modernise South Africa's water services
General view during a plenary session of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Image: Pablo Porciuncula/ AFP By Ayanda Holo, President of TV BRICS AFRICA Just weeks after Deputy President Paul Mashatile stood before global investors at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and affirmed that "South Africa and Russia will significantly deepen trade relations as BRICS partners," the echoes of that commitment are already rippling through our economy, not as platitudes, but as pipelines of opportunity. From July 8 to 10, Johannesburg's Gallagher Convention Centre becomes the stage for a quiet revolution in South-South cooperation. A powerful delegation of industrial innovators from St. Petersburg, Russia's gateway to the world, will participate in IFAT Africa 2025, the continent's most significant environmental technology exhibition. These firms bring with them more than technological marvels. They provide evidence that the BRICS economic narrative is not abstract, but actionable, visible, and mutually rewarding. At the heart of this participation lies an important, albeit underreported, diplomatic milestone: the sister-city relationship between St. Petersburg and Johannesburg, established in 2001. This IFAT is more than symbolism; it is a commercial channel waiting to be scaled. The IFAT Africa exhibition is the channel in motion. St. Petersburg companies attending the event — including Vodokanal, TFBE, NAECO, and EXIMO — are global leaders in water purification, industrial wastewater treatment, and urban water system efficiency. The presence of Vodokanal, which manages one of the largest water utilities in Europe, is especially noteworthy for municipalities across South Africa that are grappling with ageing infrastructure, load-shedding-related pump failures, and ballooning urban populations. South African enterprises, utilities, and government departments must view this moment not just as another exhibition, but as an open invitation to co-develop, co-finance, and co-own solutions for our most pressing environmental and economic challenges. It is no secret that water is becoming one of the scarcest and most politicised resources in the 21st century. What is less often said is that water management is also one of the fastest-growing economic sectors, globally projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030. For South African businesses, especially in Gauteng, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape, investing in this sector is not a side project; it is a national strategy. The IFAT Africa schedule reads like a masterclass in applied BRICS cooperation. At 12:30 on July 8, the official opening of the St. Petersburg stand (Hall 3, Stand B035) will set the tone. Minutes later, the "South Africa – Saint Petersburg Economic Cooperation Dialogue" roundtable will gather key stakeholders, including the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rand Water, the Water Research Commission, and Russia's Trade Mission. And at 15:15, a cutting-edge panel will dissect new technologies in water treatment and sludge disposal, real solutions for real problems. But beyond the booths and name badges, the subtext is clear: Russia is not simply seeking to export products; it is looking to localise, partner, and innovate together with African counterparts. This model is the cornerstone of BRICS industrial policy, offering a direct contrast to the extractive models that historically defined trade between Africa and the West. Indeed, as South Africa eyes industrial diversification and seeks to build sustainable cities, now is the time for our CEOs, utility executives, and provincial heads to walk the talk. IFAT Africa should not be a passive exhibition tour. It should be a deal-making arena, a site of memorandum signings, pilot project launches, and matchmaking for public-private partnerships.


New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Telangana gig workers welcome insurance in new rules
HYDERABAD: Telangana gig workers unions, including IFAT and TGPWU, has welcomed certain provisions of the newly notified Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025 while raising serious concerns over other aspects. IFAT general secretary and TGPWU founder president, Shaik Salauddin, lauded the government's decision to mandate health and term insurance for drivers, with coverages of `5 lakh and `10 lakh respectively. He also appreciated the focus on safety protocols, including background checks, induction training, and vehicle safety standards. However, the unions expressed discontent over several unresolved issues. They reiterated the long-pending demand for a uniform fare policy across the country and urged the government to ban bike taxis operating illegally with private registration plates. The guidelines also allow fares to spike two to three times during peak demand hours, emergencies, or festivals. While passengers are forced to pay inflated fares, drivers receive only a minimal share of the increased amount and often bear the brunt of customer dissatisfaction. The unions also fear that the financial liabilities imposed on aggregator companies, such as license fees of `5 lakh and security deposits up to `50 lakh may eventually be shifted onto the drivers through higher commissions or hidden charges.


The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Centre gives green signal for bike taxis; Rapido hails move
The Centre has allowed inclusion of 'non-transport motorcycles' by ride hailing apps in its revised guidelines for taxi aggregators at a time States like Karnataka have banned bike taxis. The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on July 1 provide a regulatory framework for State governments to issue licences and regulate aggregators. It says State governments may adopt these revised guidelines within three months. Clause 23.1 of the Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines states, 'the State government may allow aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for journey by passengers as shared mobility through aggregators,' adding that this will help in reducing traffic congestion, vehicular pollution and provide passenger mobility, hyperlocal delivery, and create livelihood opportunities. Bike hailing app Rapido welcomed the move. 'By recognising non-transport motorcycles as a means of shared mobility, the government has opened the door to more affordable transportation options for millions, especially in underserved and hyperlocal areas,' it said in a press statement. Concurrent subject While transport is a concurrent subject, State governments may follow guidelines issued by the Central government while issuing licence to aggregators, as per Section 36 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) has opposed the move and said non-transport bikes, or those with white plates, must not be allowed to operate as taxis. 'Bike taxis operating on white number plate [private] motorcycles remain illegal. These services compromise passenger safety, evade taxes, and hurt the livelihood of licensed taxi, auto, and bike drivers,' said Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary, IFAT and Founder President, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU). They reiterated their demand to the Telangana government to ban such services. In April 2025, a single judge of the Karnataka High Court ordered Ola, Uber and Rapido to cease their bike-taxis' operations unless the State government framed proper guidelines. The Bench gave them time till June 15 to shut their two-wheeler shop. Ride aggregators have appealed against the order. The State government held the opinion that two-wheelers are not safe for commuters, especially for women. It is opposed to use of bikes registered for personal use for commercial purposes. In other changes, the Centre's guidelines allow aggregators to charge up to twice the base fare during peak hours as compared to the maximum of 1.5 times allowed earlier, while maintaining a minimum of 50% during off-peak periods. The guidelines though have dropped the requirement of maximum number of hours drivers can log. In the 2020 guidelines, drivers could not work for more than 12 hours per day and were required to be given a mandatory break of 10 hours after a 12-hour duty. The IFAT has opposed surge pricing and urged that State governments to 'fix minimum and maximum fares to stop arbitrary pricing by app companies. The current model benefits only the aggregators, while customers overpay, and drivers receive inconsistent, unfair payments,' its press statement said.


Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat gig worker unions back Sahakar Taxi initiative
Ahmedabad: Gujarat-based gig worker unions lent their support to the govt's during a key roundtable held in New Delhi. Organised by Jan Pehal, IFAT, NCCPTE, and the Gig Workers Association, the meeting focused on creating a cooperative-driven future for platform workers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative aims to transition app-based drivers into member-owners of a multi-state cooperative, ensuring fair profit-sharing, social security, and workplace rights. Colonel Himanshu, chief director at the NCDC, confirmed that registration of the cooperative society is in its final stages and rollout will follow in the coming months. Gujarat was represented by Kishan Patni of the Ahmedabad Auto Chalak Ekta Union and Vanraj Gadhvi of the Ahmedabad Taxi Drivers Union. Both leaders highlighted the exploitative conditions app-based drivers face and welcomed the cooperative model as a path to self-reliance. "The idea is to organise the system in a way that driver members' rights in terms of wages as well as their interests are protected. This will give dignity and economic security to lakhs of workers," said Gadhvi.