Ola, Uber, Rapido Cabs to Follow Govt-Approved Meter Rates in Pune from May 1
Pune: Starting May 1, cab services operated by Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Baramati will charge fares as per state government-approved rates, similar to autorickshaws.
The Indian Gig Workers Front confirmed this development, with its president Keshav Kshirsagar stating that the decision was taken during a meeting of cab drivers on Friday. According to the new fare structure, the first 1.5 km will be charged at Rs 37, and every additional kilometer will cost Rs 25.
This means a 10 km cab ride will cost a minimum of Rs 249.50, compared to the current average non-surge fare of approximately Rs 175. For instance, on Friday night at 9 pm, an UberGo ride from Ghole Road to Salunke Vihar Road, a 10 km stretch, was priced at Rs 219.
To ensure transparency, a website — www.onlymeter.in — will be launched, displaying a QR code in every cab. Passengers can enter their trip distance on the site after the ride to see the exact fare they need to pay, based on the government-approved rates.
Kshirsagar noted that public awareness will take time, hence the May 1 rollout. An awareness campaign will be conducted in the lead-up. Currently, around 45,000 cabs operate under these platforms in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
