High cab-auto fares & delays during strike upset residents

Pune: Cabs and autos were hard to come by amid exorbitant fares in the morning hours, as drivers operating under aggregators went on a daylong strike on Saturday.The Uber cab fare from Kondhwa to Pune airport was almost Rs700 against the usual Rs300–350. A ride from Kondhwa to FC Road on Uber Go reflected an estimated fare of Rs580 instead of the regular Rs280–340. Similarly, Uber autorickshaw fare from Fatimanagar to the airport in the morning hours was Rs450 against the normal Rs240–270.
Commuters looking for cabs or autorickshaws in the morning had a rude shock. "I had to go to the airport to pick up my relative, but I couldn't find a cab for a long time. No one confirmed the ride though cabs could be seen on different applications. The fare from Koregaon Park to the airport, which is usually Rs180–200 unless the driver says ‘pay by meter', showed Rs350–370," Prasun Shindke, a resident, said.People arriving at the airport also faced difficulties in getting cabs. "I waited for a cab for around 30 minutes, which usually doesn't happen nowadays. No one accepted rides. I finally took a prepaid autorickshaw to my home in Baner. I didn't know there was a strike," Udit Bhosle, who came from Delhi, said. Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of Baghtoy Rickshawaala Autorickshaw Union and the Indian Gig Workers' Front, said over 60% of the cabs and autorickshaws did not operate until 2pm. "Apart from Pune, cities like Mumbai and Nagpur were also affected. The strike was a part of a nationwide agitation of cab and auto operators of aggregators to press for various demands. Autorickshaws with meters operated as usual. People shouldn't have been hassled much," he said.Sujay Kamat, a resident of the Camp area, alleged fleecing by autorickshaw drivers. "An autorickshaw driver demanded Rs400 for a ride from MG Road to FC Road, and refused to operate by the meter. I waited for around 45 minutes at a mall and then got an Uber auto. He too charged Rs200 against the usual Rs130, reflected on the application," he said.Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik warned of action against the owners of app-based aggregators, pointing out that the state would not tolerate any inconvenience to the common man because of the protests of their drivers. He said the state was ready to assist unions to formulate a solution, but it was incorrect to hold the common man to ransom. "The transport department officials are in touch with the unions, drivers, and the companies. We told them to spell out what assistance was required from the state and we would extend support. But if the owners fail to resolve the issue, the state will not hesitate in taking action against them," he said.(With inputs from Manoj Badgeri in Thane)