Fare Hike Alert: Ola and Uber Rides to Get Pricier in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad
Pune, 12th December 2023: Commuting through cabs, including popular app-based services like Ola and Uber, is poised to become more expensive in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, with proposed fare hikes.
The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), in collaboration with cab associations and key stakeholders, is set to submit a proposal to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Tuesday. The proposal suggests fixing the fare for air-conditioned cabs in both cities at Rs 39 for the initial 1.5 km and Rs 26 for each subsequent kilometer traveled. The RTA, overseen by the district collector, will review and decide on the proposed changes.
In response to a one-day protest by cab drivers in October highlighting the inadequacy of per-kilometer charges in Pune, discussions ensued among stakeholders. Cab associations argued that unlike Mumbai, per-kilometer rates had not been standardized in Pune. To address this, the Pune Regional Transport Officer, Sanjiv Bhor, stated that efforts have been underway to align the rates with the recommendations of the Khatua Committee.
Currently, cabs are operating with per-kilometer fares ranging from Rs 9 to Rs 12, even lower than the charges for autorickshaws. Bhor explained, “When autorickshaw fares were revised, new rates were also set for black and yellow cabs. However, these cabs don’t operate in Pune. As per the Khatua Committee’s recommendations, non-AC cab rates have been proposed at Rs 31 for the initial 1.5km and Rs 21 for each subsequent kilometer. For AC cabs, there will be a 25% increase in both fare slabs. After presenting the calculations to all associations, they were in agreement. The new fares will be implemented upon RTA approval.”
The registration of cabs has surged significantly in both Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, with a total of 8,130 cabs registered in Pune and around 5,000 in Pimpri Chinchwad in 2023. The cumulative cab count in Pune stands at over 45,000, while in Pimpri Chinchwad, approximately 23,000 cabs have been registered until now.
