Commuters in Ahmedabad are facing difficulties booking cabs as taxi and autorickshaw drivers continue their boycott of Ola, Uber and Rapido. Several passengers have alleged that drivers are asking them to cancel bookings and use Bharat Taxi instead, while others have complained about higher fares and limited availability.
The boycott began on September 21, with driver unions protesting what they describe as low fares and high commissions charged by established cab aggregators. The drivers are instead encouraging passengers to use Bharat Taxi, a newer ride-hailing platform that operates on a cooperative model.
Several commuters have shared their experiences on social media. Kumar Manish said an Uber driver contacted him after accepting his ride and later dropping the booking. According to Manish, the driver told him that passengers should book through Bharat Taxi because cabs from other platforms would not be available. He described the situation as “arm-twisting” and questioned whether passengers were being given a genuine choice of platforms.
Another passenger said a driver asked him to book through Bharat Taxi. When the passenger pointed out that the Bharat Taxi fare was nearly three times higher, the driver allegedly asked him to cancel the existing booking.
Other users reported similar experiences. Sanjay Bengani said drivers were initially accepting Ola and Uber bookings but then asking passengers to switch to Bharat Taxi. Palash Upadhyay said he tried booking rides through several apps but could not find a cab and eventually used a Rapido bike. He also claimed that Bharat Taxi had the highest fares.
Rushil Vyas said he compared fares and found a Bharat Taxi economy cab to be around ₹100 more expensive than Uber, after which he opted for Rapido.
The issue has also triggered a debate over fares and competition. Some social media users questioned whether passengers were effectively being pushed towards one platform, while others said the higher fares could discourage commuters from using Bharat Taxi.
One user claimed that Ahmedabad’s taxi and autorickshaw associations were supporting Bharat Taxi because the platform had accepted their existing rate card without changes. He said the development was limiting passengers’ choices and that he was considering using the Metro, AMTS and BRTS instead.
Another passenger alleged that Ola and Rapido drivers had been instructed not to accept rides. He also raised concerns about Bharat Taxi’s service, including what he described as unclear fare information and an alleged demand from a driver to pay the airport toll.
Drivers cite low earnings
The boycott is being led by driver unions, which have accused established cab aggregators of exploiting drivers through low fares and high charges. Ahmedabad taxi and autorickshaw drivers had also observed a four-day strike earlier this month over similar issues.
According to union estimates, Ahmedabad has around one lakh autorickshaws and 30,000-40,000 taxis registered with cab aggregators.
Narendra Patel, working president of the Ahmedabad Taxi Driver Union, said fares offered by established aggregators were not sustainable for drivers. He said Bharat Taxi charges drivers minimal fees and also provides insurance coverage to passengers.
Passengers raise fare concerns
While drivers support the shift to Bharat Taxi, some passengers have complained that fares have increased.
One passenger told the media that she recently paid more than ₹850 for a Bharat Taxi ride from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, while her return journey on Rapido cost around ₹425.
Bharat Taxi fares, which were previously lower, have reportedly increased recently. Patel said the decision was taken at a September 10 meeting attended by Bharat Taxi representatives, although there has been no official confirmation of the decision.
At Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, a prepaid taxi driver said that only prepaid taxis and Bharat Taxis were currently operating amid the boycott.
Bharat Taxi seeks to expand in Gujarat
The developments come as Bharat Taxi tries to establish itself in a market dominated by Ola, Uber and Rapido. The platform began its trial run in Gujarat nearly a year ago and was formally launched nationally in June this year by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
Bharat Taxi’s cooperative model has attracted support from sections of the driver community. However, the platform remains considerably smaller than established ride-hailing services in terms of app downloads, rides and overall visibility.