Commuters in Pune are facing an unexpected and chilly dilemma this winter: cab drivers demanding extra money simply to switch on the air-conditioner. This surprising trend has left passengers frustrated, questioning the fare policies of ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Rapido.
Passengers Share Their Chilly Ordeals
The issue came to light when Tapan Belapurkar, a student from Sinhagad Road, booked a Rapido cab from Narhe earlier this week. Upon entering the vehicle, he was taken aback when the driver asked for additional payment to activate the AC. The fare displayed was Rs 145, but the driver insisted on calculating the trip at Rs 30 per kilometer if the cooling was turned on. Belapurkar, who was travelling with his family, refused the demand. The driver proceeded with the journey keeping the AC off and showed indifference to any potential complaints.
This was not an isolated incident. On December 20, Akshay Raina encountered a similar situation while taking an Uber to Pune railway station. He took to social media platform X to detail his experience, sharing a video of his conversation with the driver. In his post, he sarcastically questioned if Uber had instituted a "new rule" prohibiting AC use before 11 am during Pune winters. The driver allegedly told him that for an extra Rs 25 per kilometer over the billed amount, the AC could be switched on at any time. While Uber responded online that his concern was addressed, Raina remained unsatisfied, stating his fundamental query was left unanswered.
Another working professional, Rajiv Mundhe from Baner, faced a refusal to turn on the AC on December 16 while heading to Shivajinagar. The driver quoted an extra charge of Rs 150. When Mundhe questioned how this new fare was derived from his original Rs 180 trip, the driver vaguely cited meter fare and called it a new rule. Mundhe opted to open the window instead, but the driver then insisted on the meter fare, adding to the confusion.
Commuters React and Drivers Justify
Regular commuters see this as another layer of hassle. Prakash Khambhoj, a resident of Camp, expressed concern that cabbies have become "fearless" due to a perceived lack of action from authorities on issues like arbitrary meter fares. Now, he says, they are inventing new reasons to demand more money.
A cab driver, speaking anonymously, provided a different perspective. He claimed that many passengers have grown tired of disputes over meter fares and have begun protesting by cancelling rides, even if it costs them a cancellation fee. This pushback has reportedly reduced the frequency of such demands. However, it has also led some drivers to adopt alternative tactics, like the AC charge, banking on the fact that most passengers will not pursue a formal complaint. The driver called for the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to issue a clear and public statement on the rules.
Official Stance and Pending Clarity
When approached for comment, a source from Rapido stated that for specific AC or premium cabs, the driver should ideally comply with customer requests to turn on the cooling. An official response from both Uber and Rapido was still awaited at the time of reporting.
Recently, the Pune RTO asserted that aggregator companies were complying with directives to charge fares according to RTA-approved rates. However, this claim is contradicted by the experiences on the ground, with many cab drivers stating they were unaware of such compliance, and the companies not visibly reacting to the RTO's direction.
With attempts to get a direct comment from RTO officials proving unsuccessful, Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Indian Gig Workers Front, mentioned that efforts to sensitize cab drivers are ongoing. For now, Pune's commuters are left navigating the cold weather with windows down or pockets open, awaiting a definitive resolution to this frosty fare dispute.
