On April 5, an FIR was filed following an incident in Pune’s Loni Kalbhor area where a 30-year-old cab driver was attacked by a group of passengers due to a fare dispute. The driver had requested a fare of Rs 25 per kilometer, a rate established by Pune\u2019s Regional Transport Authority (RTA). However, the passengers insisted on paying the amount displayed on the ride-hailing app and subsequently assaulted the driver.<\/p>\n
Fare disagreements between passengers and cab or rickshaw drivers have become increasingly prevalent in Pune, particularly after a policy change implemented last year.<\/p>\n
Under Maharashtra’s Aggregator Policy, introduced in May 2025, ride-hailing services such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido are required to set their fares according to the rates determined by Regional Transport Authorities (RTAs).<\/p>\n
According to the guidelines from companies like Rapido and Uber, the fare shown on the app is merely an estimate and should be negotiated between the driver and the passenger. The RTA of Pune has established that from 2024 onwards, the fare for the first 1.5 km in a cab will be Rs 37, with an additional charge of Rs 25 per kilometer thereafter. For auto-rickshaws, the initial 1.5 km will cost Rs 26, followed by Rs 17.14 for each additional kilometer.<\/p>\n
In an official communication dated April 6, the Pune RTO reminded ride-hailing companies to ensure that their apps reflect fares based on these established rates.<\/p>\n
Driver associations, such as the Baghtoy Rickshawala Union, led by Keshav Kshirsagar, have voiced concerns that apps failing to display meter rates as mandated by policy have contributed to escalating conflicts between drivers and passengers.<\/p>\n
Interviews conducted by The Indian Express with a number of cab and auto drivers in Pune revealed that fare disputes have become a daily occurrence. Many drivers reported frequent conflicts with passengers regarding meter rates. One driver, Swapnil, who has been on the job for two years, noted that many passengers are unaware of the policy, resulting in arguments. He stated, “We first check if passengers agree to the meter fare before accepting the ride; otherwise, we cancel.” <\/p>\n
Another driver, Lalit Kumar, highlighted that disputes over meter-based fares are common, with passengers often arguing and refusing to cancel rides even after being informed about the proper rates. Nathuram, another cab driver, remarked, “It’s rare to have a day without a dispute. As soon as we mention meter rates, it tends to escalate into an argument.”<\/p>\n
When speaking to over ten commuters, none were familiar with the fare policy. Gauri, a 21-year-old student at SPPU, expressed her ignorance of the policy, stating, “I had no idea about this. I prefer paying the rates shown on the apps.” She recounted an incident where an auto driver demanded meter rates mid-journey, claiming she needed to pay more than expected.<\/p>\n
Vaishnavi, another college student, shared similar experiences, noting that fare disputes frequently arise. She mentioned that the cost for a short trip between Khadki and Wakdewadi typically ranges from Rs 50 to Rs 100, but she was charged Rs 250, which she managed to negotiate down to Rs 160 due to her unfamiliarity with the area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On April 5, an FIR was filed following an incident in Pune’s Loni Kalbhor area where a 30-year-old cab driver was attacked by a group of passengers due to a fare dispute. The driver had requested a fare of Rs 25 per kilometer, a rate established by Pune\u2019s Regional Transport Authority (RTA). However, the passengers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6099,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[78,40,149],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-cities","category-india","category-in-pune"],"yoast_head":"\n