Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Federation Seeks Strict Action Against Ola, Uber And Rapido Drivers Over Overcharging
Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Federation Seeks Strict Action Against Ola, Uber And Rapido Drivers Over Overcharging
Pune, May 27, 2026: The Pimpri Chinchwad Co-operative Housing Societies Federation has urged the police, transport authorities and the Maharashtra government to take immediate action against app-based cab and rickshaw services such as Ola, Uber and Rapido over increasing complaints of overcharging, ride cancellations and harassment of passengers in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
In a letter addressed to the Police Commissioner, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police and Regional Transport Officer (RTO), the federation stated that complaints against app-based transport services have risen sharply over the past year. The organisation alleged that many drivers are demanding fares higher than the amount displayed on the apps and forcing passengers to pay extra cash under the pretext of meter charges.
According to the federation, passengers are frequently being told to pay “meter fare” instead of the app fare, while some drivers allegedly refuse rides, cancel bookings after accepting them, or demand additional cash payments. The letter also highlighted incidents involving rude behaviour towards women passengers, harassment of senior citizens and students, and passengers being dropped midway during journeys.
The federation claimed that several reports published in newspapers and shared on social media in recent months have exposed the growing issue of drivers charging whichever amount is higher between the app fare and meter fare. It further alleged that passengers who refuse to pay extra are often threatened, verbally abused or denied service.
The organisation warned that the situation has created mental stress among daily commuters, including IT employees, women workers, students, hospital visitors and senior citizens, while public trust in urban transport services is steadily declining.
At the same time, the federation acknowledged that drivers also face financial challenges related to fuel prices, commission structures and policies of aggregator companies. However, it stressed that passengers should not be harassed or forced to pay additional charges despite booking rides through apps.
Federation President Sachin Londhe demanded that the authorities introduce uniform fare regulations for app-based transport services in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and issue clear guidelines on whether passengers should pay only the app fare or meter fare.
Among the key demands made by the federation are strict action against drivers demanding extra money, special drives against misconduct and ride refusals, mandatory display of complaint numbers and QR-based grievance systems in vehicles, suspension of licences of repeat offenders, and joint inspection drives at metro stations, railway stations, IT parks and bus depots.
The federation has also called for a joint meeting involving transport police, RTO officials, citizen groups, IT employee associations and driver unions to resolve the issue. Additionally, it has proposed the formation of a dedicated “Aggregator Transport Regulation Cell” by the Maharashtra government to frame balanced policies protecting both passengers and drivers.
The federation stated that Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, as rapidly growing centres of IT, education and industry, depend heavily on app-based transport services and that ensuring safe, transparent and respectful travel is the responsibility of the administration.
