Kerala online taxi fares surge 2-3x as 35,000 drivers continue indefinite strike

Commuters face higher fares and cab shortages, forcing many to switch to buses and autorickshaws; drivers demand fare revisions, welfare measures and action against illegal bike taxis; talks with Uber scheduled on Thursday

Updated - July 22, 2026 09:02 pm IST - KOCHI

The Hindu Bureau

Online taxi drivers stand next to their parked taxis in North Paravur during an indefinite Statewide ‘offline strike’ in Kerala on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The ‘offline strike’ by drivers attached to online taxi aggregators has led to a surge in travel fares across the State, even as a large number of vehicles stayed off the road.

The indefinite agitation, called by the All Kerala Online Drivers Union Alliance (AKODUA), entered its second day on Wednesday.

Commuters Hit by Higher Fares and Delays

Regular riders were forced to take alternative measures owing to the unusual rise in fares and delays in finding cabs.

• “I usually take a car from Thripunithura to Infopark, where I work, at around ₹250. Today, the fare was shown as over ₹450. Then I chose to book an auto ride which also cost around ₹250, while the usual fare was around ₹120,” said Diana Francis, an IT employee, on Wednesday. She added that she chose a bus and then an auto for the return journey as the prices on taxi apps remained higher.

• “I used to book rides for around ₹200 from Kakkanad to Palarivattom on a major riding platform. Today, when I checked, it was above ₹500,” said a private employee. The platform, meanwhile, showed a message that fares were higher due to the rise in demand.

Strike Impact and Vehicle Availability

Protesting drivers said that of the nearly 35,000 vehicles in the aggregator sector, only 20% were operating despite the strike.

“Vehicles managed by fleet owners may be operating. We are contacting and urging them to join the strike by sensitising them about our cause,” said David Daniel, Secretary, AKODUA.

While most car drivers remained offline, autorickshaws and motorbikes were available almost as usual. However, fares also increased due to the reduced number of vehicles.

“I took a trip from General Hospital to Palarivattom for ₹175 in the evening. Usually the trip would have cost only around ₹120,” said Aravind, an autorickshaw driver enrolled in a major ride-hailing app.

Demands and Talks Scheduled

The alliance launched the strike with 11 demands, including:

• Fair fare revisions
• Driver welfare measures
• An end to illegal bike taxis

Protest at Uber Office

The protesting drivers staged a sit-in at the office of Uber in Kochi on Wednesday. The protesters said the company had agreed to hold talks with representatives of the unions on Thursday following police intervention.

Published - July 22, 2026 08:57 pm IST