The recent increase in CNG prices has started impacting intercity travel, with cab operators on the Pune-Mumbai route revising fares upward to offset higher fuel expenses.
Impact on Cab Drivers and Customers
Cab driver Milind Chavan said, “CNG for a one-way Pune-Mumbai trip used to cost Rs 1,600 for a small sedan, it is now Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,000. We are passing on the price increase to new customers. For our old customers, we are still charging earlier rates.”
Frequent commuters, including corporate employees, students, and business travellers who rely on shared and private taxis between the two cities, said the higher fares were adding to their monthly travel budgets and making an already expensive commute even costlier.
“My mother lives in Pune and she is unwell, so I need to make at least two trips to Pune every month. Since these trips are last minute, a taxi is the best way to travel, but the increase in fares is making it very expensive,” said Mumbai resident Swati Ramesh.
Cab Companies Adjusting Margins
Shubham Garud, from Garud Cabs, said the company has a network of cab drivers it works with to provide private vehicles to commuters. “We have always charged commuters Rs 3,000 for a Pune-Mumbai cab ride. Now, owing to the price increase in CNG, drivers have increased their rates and we have had to reduce our margin,” he said.
Sheikh Munir Mehboob, who runs a private cab service between the two cities, said, “Commuters are extremely price sensitive. The moment we say rates have increased, they look for alternatives or cancel bookings at the last minute. We have been absorbing the price increases so far.”
Pavan G, a taxi driver, said, “I used to charge commuters Rs 2,800 earlier, for a Pune-Mumbai cab ride in a Toyota Etios, now I am charging Rs 3,200. Customers who like the service I offer would be willing to pay revised fares.”
Passengers Allege Overcharging
Customers, however, said taxi drivers were overcharging them. Baner resident Kunal Shah said, “It takes me 2.5 hours to my location in Mumbai because of the missing link. The distance has reduced but cab rides have become costlier.”
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