HYDERABAD: The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) has started a campaign called #LowFareNoAir as part of which they are boycotting trips from the airport into the city.
The campaign was started in a bid to make cab aggregators understand the hardships of the drivers.
The TGPWU also issued an apology to customers for the long wait. "We apologise to our customers who are standing for long intervals for a cab, but this is a fight for our survival," said Shaik Salauddin, founder and state president of TGPWU.
Explaining the reason for the campaign, Salauddin said: "The cost of driving to and from airport is 300-600 presently. This fare does not cover fuel expenses and over it we have to pay 30% commission to the cab aggregators also. In this way a driver is left with nothing at the end of day."
He further said to get a ride back to city they have to wait for more than 4-5 hours. It is this that has led to 5,000 drivers boycott airport services.
The campaign has been going on for five days and as a result long queues have come to haunt passengers at the cab hailing area at the Hyderabad airport. Several commuters have been complaining about the lack of cabs at all hours, especially after midnight.
A passenger, Hari tweeted, "Why is Uber situation so very bad at Hyderabad Airport. There is a long line and no cabs whatsoever. Local cab companies are not only bad mouthing uber but also fleecing customers indicating the lousy wait times for uber (sic)."
Another customer highlighted how airport failed in linking the cabs to prepaid system. "Thank you RGIA and Hyderabad city police for putting us through this at this hour. Why not attach cabs to prepaid cab policy(sic)," tweeted Saraswathi Bhamidi.
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