Major ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido have been ordered to justify their fare structures, a move that could significantly impact what commuters pay for rides.
Regulators Demand Answers from Ride-Hailing Apps
The transport commissioner’s office recently instructed Ola, Uber, and Rapido to provide a detailed, written explanation of how they determine their fares. This directive comes amid ongoing protests and a paused strike by the Indian Gig Workers’ Front.
Additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar confirmed that discussions with company officials and union leaders led to this demand. Authorities want to understand how app-based fares for cabs and auto-rickshaws are calculated across various cities and how much they deviate from RTO-approved rates.
Drivers Push for Approved Fares
Hundreds of drivers across the state have been agitating for higher, RTA-approved fares. They claim their IDs have been blocked for attempting to charge these official rates.
In Pune, for instance, the RTA-approved fares are set at INR 75 for the initial 3 kilometers, followed by INR 25 for every subsequent kilometer. Drivers are advocating for these rates to be implemented on the apps.
Commuters Brace for Higher Costs
If the RTA-approved fare system is enforced, commuters could face a noticeable increase in ride costs. A 10-kilometer cab ride, for example, could cost around INR 249.50. This is a significant jump from the current average non-surge fare of approximately INR 175 for a basic ride like Uber Go.
Many commuters are frustrated, blaming the Pune RTO for not addressing the issue sooner. They feel the authorities’ inaction has led to the current dilemma, affecting daily travel expenses.
Union Stance and Policy Conflict
Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Kamgar Sena, stated that state transport department officials have assured them that ride-hailing apps will commit in writing to introduce RTA-based fares, along with a firm implementation date.
However, Prashant Sawardekar, president of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transporters, expressed concerns about a new state policy. He highlighted a potential conflict with central guidelines, which allow surge pricing up to 50 percent of the base fare (up to INR 48 per km) – a provision not included in the state’s draft policy.
Passengers Face Real-World Challenges
The uncertainty around fares has led to numerous complaints from passengers. Social media posts describe drivers accepting rides only to cancel upon arrival, demanding higher cash payments.
One passenger shared an experience where a driver insisted on INR 700 for a 20km ride, despite the app showing INR 295. When contacting support, they were reportedly told to “pay by meter, rates not yet fixed,” highlighting the confusion on the ground.
- Ride-hailing apps must explain their fare calculations to transport authorities.
- Drivers are pushing for the implementation of RTA-approved fares.
- Commuters could see a significant increase in ride costs if RTA rates are adopted.
- There’s a debate over state versus central guidelines regarding surge pricing.
As discussions continue, both drivers and commuters await a clear resolution on how ride-hailing fares will be determined in the future.
