Ola, Uber, Rapido to Charge Govt-Approved Fares in Pune from May 1

Starting May 1, 2025, commuters in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Baramati using ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido will see a change in their fare structure.

In a major move towards fare transparency and regulation, all cabs under these platforms will begin charging fares as per state government-approved rates, similar to the fare structure followed by autorickshaws.

Standardised Fare Structure

As per the newly adopted system:

• ₹37 will be charged for the first 1.5 kilometers.

• ₹25 per kilometer will apply thereafter.

This decision was finalised during a recent meeting of cab drivers, according to Keshav Kshirsagar, President of the Indian Gig Workers Front, as per news reports.

To give a practical example, a typical 10 km cab ride will cost around ₹249.50 under the new rates. Currently, the non-surge fare for the same distance hovers around ₹175. For instance, at 9 PM on Friday, the UberGo fare from Ghole Road to Salunke Vihar Road (10 km) was ₹219 — noticeably lower than the upcoming fixed pricing model.

Introducing: OnlyMeter.in

To help implement and monitor this change, the Indian Gig Workers Front is launching a platform called www.onlymeter.in.

• Each cab will display a QR code linked to the site, along with a brief description.

• After completing a ride, commuters can enter the distance traveled into the site.

• The site will instantly calculate the exact fare based on the approved tariff.

Kshirsagar noted that while the system may take some time to gain traction, the group is launching an awareness campaign alongside the implementation to ensure a smooth transition for riders and drivers alike.

Impact on Riders and Drivers

Currently, there are around 45,000 cabs operating under Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The shift to a regulated fare model is expected to bring greater pricing consistency, reducing the unpredictability of surge pricing often seen on app-based platforms.

While this change might lead to higher fares during off-peak times, it is aimed at ensuring fair compensation for gig workers and reducing fare manipulation on digital platforms.

Read more: Government to Launch “Sahkar Taxi”, A Cooperative Taxi Service Soon. 

Conclusion

This move marks a significant step toward regulated urban mobility in Maharashtra’s key cities. As Pune adopts a more structured fare policy for cab aggregators, the focus is now on public awareness, smooth execution, and fair pricing for both commuters and drivers. Whether this model will be replicated in other cities remains to be seen, but for now, commuters in Pune should prepare for this new fare regime starting May 1.

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