Fare Hike Proposed: Maharashtra govt recommends increasing app-based taxi fares, Pune's base fare from ₹12 to ₹18/km, Mumbai’s from ₹16 to ₹24/km.
Union Pressure Works: Move comes after repeated protests by drivers demanding earnings on par with traditional taxis.
Legal Action: Bombay High Court restricts protesting union members from obstructing app-based cab services or threatening drivers.
Pune, 25 July 2025: App-based taxi rides in Pune and Mumbai are likely to become significantly more expensive, with the Maharashtra government recommending a sharp increase in base fares. This move follows extended protests by app-based cab drivers demanding fare parity with traditional taxis.
In Pune, the proposed hike would raise the base fare from ₹12 to ₹18 per kilometre. In Mumbai, fares are expected to go up from ₹16 to ₹24 per kilometre, a 50% jump. If implemented, this will affect thousands of daily commuters who rely on app cabs like Ola and Uber for short and long-distance travel.
The fare revision is seen as a response to demands from drivers’ unions, who have been urging the government to act, claiming that current rates leave them with unsustainable incomes. The unions have also called for better working conditions and more transparent earnings structures.
An official involved in the negotiations said the fare revision recommendation is the first formal step towards fulfilling the government’s earlier assurance to drivers. The government is also reportedly seeking a written agreement on the revised fares from cab aggregators like Ola and Uber.
However, not everyone is in favour of the hike. A representative from one of the cab aggregators said such a large increase could make app-based rides unaffordable and reduce demand, which might hurt drivers over time rather than helping them.
Adding a legal angle to the issue, the Bombay High Court on July 23 issued an interim order barring protesting union members from blocking Uber services or threatening app-based drivers and passengers. The court has directed the police to ensure protection for drivers, their vehicles, and cab company offices.
As the fare hike proposal moves ahead, discussions between the state, aggregators, and unions are expected to continue in the coming days.
