The app-based taxi companies such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Baramati will start charging according to government-approved rates from May 1, according to the Indian Gig Workers Front (IGWF), the union body of the taxi drivers.
Cab drivers and the representatives of the gig workers met to agree on the standardization of the fares. Cab fares are now aligned with autorickshaw fares with the new agreement.
The practice, as per President of IGWF Keshav Kshirsagar, aims to put an end to fare inconsistency and introduce transparency to drivers and customers. “The fare system will now be consistent to follow. For the first 1.5 kilometers, the minimum fare is Rs 37, and for every additional kilometer, it is Rs 25, he said.”.
The IGWF also plans to introduce a website where the passengers would input the distance of the trip to calculate rates. Taxis will bear a QR code following each ride that will link to the website for easy access. “Once the ride is complete, the passengers can go to the website, input the distance covered and see the fare as per government rates,” Kshirsagar said.
Kshirsagar is confident that the approach will minimize the cost burden for taxi drivers, thus the urge to undercut prices. This offers a decent compensation to the driver while simultaneously reminding the passenger of the precise charge. “It is a solution that works for everyone,” he said.
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