“Loot”: Citizens Say Cab Fares Surged During Flooding In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad On Thursday

Pune, 26th July 2024: Punekars, along with Pimpri-Chinchwad residents were affected by the recent rainfall. Life was disrupted in many low-lying areas of the city due to flooding. Passengers heading out for work faced higher charges as cab drivers increased their fares. Passengers had to rely on auto-rickshaws and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses, as cab drivers refused to enter certain areas.

Large amounts of water accumulated in areas like Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, Kalyani Nagar, and Deccan, causing the traffic system to collapse. With a high number of commuters needing transportation, many opted for cabs, but booking was difficult. The wait time for cabs was at least 20 to 25 minutes, and some drivers would accept a booking only to cancel it later. This led to significant inconvenience for passengers, who faced increased costs as rickshaw pullers charged Rs 50 while cab fares soared to Rs 80 to Rs 100.

It was seen that the cab drivers were initially reluctant to accept bookings. Those who did often tried to cancel once the passenger arrived, offering excuses. Many travellers reported that drivers demanded higher fares to honour their bookings, exploiting the passengers’ urgent need for transportation.

A female passenger from Sinhagad Road said, “I wanted to visit my relatives in Kothrud. I tried to book a cab from 12 noon to 6 pm, but the booking was either not confirmed or cancelled by the drivers.”

Another passenger described his experience: “I booked a cab from Bharti University in Katraj to Bavdhan. Although the address was provided correctly, the drivers initially hesitated and later refused to come. When I offered to pay extra, the driver agreed to come. This felt like a form of exploitation.”