Chandigarh cab drivers escalate strike against app-based platforms

Warring’s appearance at the protest site underscored the deepening rift between app-based aggregators and the 35,000 drivers operating across the Tricity area. He accused these companies of operating an unchecked nexus, specifically questioning the legitimacy of platforms like BlaBla, which he claims operate without transparency despite their role in high-stakes passenger transport. The Congress leader alleged that the local administration is complicit in this system, allowing companies to bypass treasury contributions while ignoring the safety concerns of those behind the wheel.

At the heart of the dispute is a rigid commission structure that drivers describe as predatory. While current regulations theoretically cap commissions at 20 percent, participants allege that companies often circumvent these rules, sometimes seizing entire trip fares upfront. Warring highlighted the crushing economic reality for drivers who must cover fuel, vehicle EMIs ranging from 17,000 to 20,000 rupees, and commercial taxes—all while receiving zero medical or insurance support from the platforms. He called for the government to mandate a flat, minimal commission rate to replace the current model, which he characterized as the largest financial exploitation of labor in the country.