Auto and taxi drivers across Maharashtra have announced a statewide strike on October 9, pressing for fare parity, a cap on commissions charged by ride-hailing companies, and a ban on bike taxis. The strike is expected to keep aggregator cabs and possibly autos too off the road, with a large number of cancellations and delays expected after bookings. Last time, those on strike had forced working aggregator drivers to join the strike, pulling a number of app cabs off the road.

Ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber are expected to see longer wait times and a surge in pricing. Airport and railway station connectivity could also be hit, as union leaders have indicated that drivers serving these routes will participate in the strike. Office-goers, students, and hospital patients are advised to plan for delays and make alternative arrangements for their travel. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have appealed to unions to call off the strike. However, with no breakthrough in talks as of Wednesday evening, Mumbai commuters are bracing for a day of inconvenience.