Kerala online taxi drivers end strike on most apps, continue Uber boycott

Drivers resume services on Kerala Savari, Rapido and other mobility apps, but continue the offline strike against Uber

Published: July 24, 2026 10:29 pm IST Location: KOCHI By: The Hindu Bureau

Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Most drivers attached to online taxi aggregator firms, barring a prominent online taxi-car platform, on Friday (July 24, 2026) evening decided to call off the indefinite ‘offline strike’ that the All Kerala Online Drivers Union Alliance (AKODUA) and other allied bodies had embarked on since July 21.

Key Developments

• App-based mobility platforms, mainly Kerala Savari and Rapido, have decided to resume services after the three-day strike, said Sajin Jose, a representative of the online drivers’ alliance.
• Uber remains the target of the ongoing offline strike, as the company has not heeded demands raised over the past decade, including reducing the percentage of commission levied on fares.
• Drivers will operate only through other mobility apps until further notice.
• Another round of talks will be held with Uber officials next week, after which a decision will be taken on the ongoing strike.

Drivers’ Demands

The agitating drivers of around 30,000 online taxis — most of which operate in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram — have been seeking:

• A fare revision in accordance with government norms
• Action on the increase in fuel prices
• Consideration of rising operation and maintenance expenses
• An end to the ‘arbitrary’ locking of their IDs based on customer feedback

Note on Autorickshaws

Online autorickshaws have continued to operate throughout the strike period.

Union Confirmation

Online Taxi Drivers’ Union president Sahir K.T. confirmed that member drivers had been instructed to switch on all mobility apps except Uber.

“We are also reaching out to non-member drivers to spread awareness about the decision to go ahead with the offline strike against the platform,” he said.