Ola, Uber drivers continue protest, services crippled in Bengaluru

Drivers attached to Ola and Uber continued their protest for the second day on Thursday, stating that the companies have not responded to their demands.

The protest has brought cab operations in the city to a standstill. Social media was abuzz with complaints that cabs were unavailable.  “#OLA #UBER Minting Money When There is a Strike. Leaving Passengers At RISK. MY Family Took an OLA Today n Were Forced To Step Out of Cab,” Neel Shetty (@NileShetty) posted on twitter.

Uber said in a statement: "We're sorry that our service has been disrupted in Bangalore. We're aware of isolated reports of threats and intimidation from a small group of people. We again call on the authorities to put an end to this illegal behavior."

Ola acknowledged that the protests have hit operations. In a message to its customers, the company said: “The number of cars on the road have reduced. We understand that it has impacted your commutes and we deeply regret the inconvenience.”

A video of a cab being burnt near Kadugodi surfaced, while another showed the windshield and rear window of a sedan being broken by protesting drivers. A driver was assaulted and another had eggs thrown at him.

Audio and video clips circulated on social media networks contained a warning to drivers who did not join the protest: turn off the aggregator app or face consequences.

When contacted, Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola, TaxiForSure and Uber (OTU) Drivers’ and Owners’ Union, denied the drivers had resorted to violence. “Some rogue elements took advantage of the situation to malign the drivers who are protesting honestly,” Pasha said.

A similar protest in Delhi ended with the government and the companies assuring the drivers of fulfilling their demands. However, Pasha said no such measures were taken in Bengaluru, and that the protest would continue.