Pune Cab Fare Scam: Minister Orders Probe into Onlymeter.in App After Assault
State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday assured a thorough investigation and strict action against the users and creators of the onlymeter.in app in Pune. This announcement comes amid growing frustration from commuters who report that the issue has persisted for over a year, with no significant action despite numerous complaints to the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
Minister's Assurance and Investigation Details
Sarnaik stated, "We will start an investigation and check whether onlymeter.in is official or not. If yes, we will need to understand how it was launched without any permission. If no, strict action will be initiated against cab drivers of Uber, Rapido, and Ola charging fares via the said app." This statement follows a violent incident on Monday involving a scuffle between a passenger and a Rapido driver.
Violent Incident Sparks Outrage
The incident occurred when a 42-year-old techie, employed at an IT firm in Phase I of Hinjewadi IT Park, booked a Rapido cab to travel home to Nana Peth around 3:40 PM. The driver allegedly refused to accept the fare displayed on the cab aggregator app and insisted on payment through onlymeter.in. The argument escalated, resulting in the driver assaulting the victim and biting two fingers of his left hand. According to the police complaint, one finger was partially severed, and the techie required hospitalization.
Commuters Express Skepticism and Ongoing Harassment
Despite the minister's assurance, many commuters remain unconvinced. They highlight that harassment by cab drivers has been ongoing for a year, with little action from the Pune RTO. Nitin Ade, a working professional and resident of Shivajinagar, questioned, "What is the guarantee that this time action will be initiated against the cabbies, the aggregators, and the organization which initiated onlymeter.in?"
Ankur Anil, a frequent flyer from Hinjewadi, shared his experiences, noting that demands for onlymeter.in fares have become routine, especially at the airport during late evenings or nights. He described instances where drivers would insist on the app or pressure passengers to cancel rides, leading to multiple cancellations in a row.
Past Incidents and Lack of Accountability
Rohit Jadhav, an NRI living in Germany, recounted a threatening situation in September last year when a cabbie demanded a higher fare via onlymeter.in. He managed to escape but expressed dismay at the authorities' inaction. Meanwhile, attempts by TOI to contact Pune RTO Archana Gaikwad and deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
A commuter emphasized the need for more than just a WhatsApp complaint system, stating, "Floating a WhatsApp number and urging people to complain is not enough. Strict action on the ground, without fearing a strike or agitation, is necessary."
