Passengers across Pune are increasingly reporting cab cancellations, fare disputes, and arguments with drivers as confusion prevails over whether trips should be charged according to app-based fares or the RTO-approved meter rates. While some drivers insist on charging meter fares, many continue to follow app-based pricing, leading to inconsistent charges for the same route.
Passenger Complaints Mount
Shishir Doshi, a resident of Hadapsar, said, “I am inevitably late to go to the office because I face at least five cab cancellations per day. It’s either a fare-related issue or the cab driver charging a higher rate to put on the air conditioner. It is becoming very difficult to commute.” Another passenger, Girish Pandey from Wanowrie, added, “Drivers keep calling and asking if I am okay to pay the metre rate for an AC cab. If I deny, they cancel the trip. It is chaos.”
Uniform Implementation Lacking
Keshav Kshirsagar, president of Indian Gig Workers Front (IGF), noted, “50 per cent of the AC cab drivers are following metre fare. The other 50 per cent are following app-based fare. The lack of uniform implementation and clarity has created uncertainty for both passengers and drivers.” The revised government-approved cab fares stand at Rs 37 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 25 for subsequent km. Aggregators, on the other hand, are offering between Rs 16-18 per km, said drivers.
Drivers Also Anxious
Cab drivers are equally anxious about losing passengers if they charge higher fares. Alok Tiwari, a cab driver, said, “There are arguments with regards to fares for every ride. I accept the ride only if I feel the fare is affordable. Most passengers are unwilling to pay a higher metre-based fare.” Sachin Sethi, another driver, added, “The rates that cab aggregators are offering us are unsustainable. Commissions are high, and the cost of everything is going up. How can we afford it?” Milind Kajale, also a driver, said, “Fuel price has gone up, and despite that, no one is bothered to see how we are managing. It is becoming very tough for us to operate.”
Call for Uniformity
Pooja Malik, a resident of Baner, said, “In no other city is there a discrepancy in fares. There is an urgent need for uniformity in accepted fares. If I’m booking a cab late at night, I just have to accept whatever fare the driver is charging me. It is unfair.” In September 2025, the IGF had revised the fare for cabs working with Uber, Ola, and Rapido according to various categories of four-wheelers. The Pune regional transport office (RTO) had also repeatedly asked all three companies to adjust their mobile app fares as per those approved for cabs by the regional transport authority (RTA), headed by the Pune collector.
RTO's Stance
Swapnil Bhosle, Pune deputy RTO, had told TOI, “Aggregators must adjust fare calculations in apps as per RTA-approved fares (Rs 37 for the first 1.5 km and then Rs 25 for every subsequent km).”
