App-based cab companies in Hyderabad, such as Ola and Uber, are causing confusion for both drivers and passengers by not being clear about whether toll charges are included in the rides. Starting from April 1, the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR) has imposed a new toll tax charge with an additional 5% per kilometer added to the passenger’s bill. However, the app-based companies are reportedly not paying their drivers the revised toll tax charges, which means they are losing out on pay. Instead, they are paying them according to the previous toll charges of Rs 40, while charging passengers the revised fee of more than Rs 50.
The Telangana Gig and Platforms Workers Union (TGPWU) has raised concerns that drivers are being fleeced and is requesting that app aggregators place the revised toll charges for the drivers and pay them accordingly. Each day, around 2,500 to 3,000 cabs run on ORR, so this issue affects many drivers. Despite giving representation to be paid according to the new norms, nothing has been done yet. The Hyderabad ORR main carriageway has its toll gates for fee collection at interchange points at PeddaAmberpet, Medchal, Kokapet, Edulanagulapally, Patancheru, Shamirpet, Ghatkesar, Keesara, TSPA, Rajendranagar, Shamshabad, Nanakramguda, Pedda Golconda, Ravirayal, Tukkuguda, Taramatipeta, Sultanpur, Saragudem and Bonguluru.
In conclusion, the app-based cab aggregators in Hyderabad are not paying their drivers the revised toll tax charges, resulting in a loss of pay for them. The union is requesting that the aggregators place revised toll charges for drivers and pay them accordingly.
