Ola, Uber, Rapido go on strike: Is Bharat Taxi the trigger?

Ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido have called for a nationwide strike on February 7, 2026, which may potentially disrupt daily commute for people across several Indian cities.

The protest, being organized by various gig-worker unions in the country, is expected to affect cab, auto-rickshaw, and bike services.

The protest, dubbed as “All India Breakdown,” requires drivers across the platforms to cancel ride requests or switch off their ride-hailing apps altogether.

Who’s behind the strike?

The strike has been called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) in coordination with several national labour organisations.

Announcing the protest scheduled for Saturday, TGPWU stated in a post on X that app-based transport workers across the country would participate in an “All India Breakdown” on February 7, 2026, citing the absence of minimum fares, lack of regulation, and continued exploitation of workers.

Hon’ble @nitin_gadkari ji, @MORTHIndia @Ponnam_INC App-based drivers and riders across India demand government-notified minimum base fares for #Ola, #Uber, #Rapido #Porter other aggregators, as mandated under Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. pic.twitter.com/epMHtJKOXS

— Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (@TGPWU) February 1, 2026

Why are they going on a strike?

In a letter written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, the union highlighted what it called “long-standing and unresolved problems” faced by app-based transport workers nationwide.

The union pointed out that, in the absence of government-regulated fare structures for drivers associated with platforms such as Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, and other aggregator services operating autos, cabs, and bike taxis, fare decisions are entirely controlled by the companies themselves.

The letter stated that this situation has led to serious income instability, worker exploitation, and unsustainable working conditions for millions of transport workers.

Urging the government to take immediate action, the union alleged that while aggregator companies continue to generate profits, millions of app-based drivers are being driven deeper into poverty.

Is the strike linked to the launch of Bharat Taxi?

Although the news comes a day after
Bharat Taxi was launched in Delhi, the February 7 strike by Ola, Uber, and Rapido drivers is not directly related to the new cooperative ride-hailing platform (as per the unions).

The protest is being driven by gig-worker unions over ongoing grievances about fares, regulation and earnings on existing app platforms, and is not officially about Bharat Taxi’s launch or operations.

Why Bharat Taxi could be a gamechanger for drivers?

Instead of drivers being independent contractors – as with Uber and Ola – Bharat Taxi’s drivers, called Sarathis, are members and co-owners of the cooperative: each holds shares and elects leadership.

They drivers get full amount the customer pays, unlike how other platforms cut 15-20 per cent commission.