Pune: Residents are increasingly turning to cabs as their primary mode of transportation to escape the dual challenges of traffic congestion and limited parking spaces. The city now has approximately 53,000 cabs on the road, a significant rise of 9,000 in the past year.

Despite an estimated 1.3 lakh auto-rickshaws operating in the city, cabs are rapidly gaining popularity due to their convenience and availability. Pune’s daily cab ridership has grown to about 5 lakh passengers, up from 4 lakh last year, according to transport experts.

Reasons for Cab Growth:

• Persistent traffic congestion across city roads.

• Inadequate parking facilities leading to inconvenience.

• Shift of auto-rickshaw drivers to the cab business for better opportunities.

• Diversification into cabs by individuals seeking alternate employment post-pandemic.

Improved Passenger Experience:

• Increased cab availability has reduced waiting times for passengers.

• Fewer instances of cab drivers declining bookings.

• Enhanced choice and convenience for travelers.

Public Transport Ridership in Pune (Approx. Daily):

• PMPML Buses: 13 lakh

• Auto-rickshaws: 30 lakh

• Metro: 1.5 lakh

• Cabs: 5 lakh

• Local Trains: 30,000

Sneha Jadhav, a frequent cab user, shared her experience: "Even though I own a personal car, the time spent dealing with traffic and searching for parking made me switch to cabs. It has significantly reduced my stress, and I can now travel to any part of the city with ease."

During the pandemic, Pune’s cab sector suffered as many vehicles were repossessed due to loan defaults, and some drivers opted for alternative professions. However, the sector has seen a resurgence with rising demand and increasing numbers of cabs entering the market.