Defying the on-line fare systems of Ola, Uber, and Rapido, the agitating cab drivers operating under these platforms in the city on Sunday launched their own pricing system. The drivers have started charging a minimum fare of Rs 100 for the first 3 km and a distance-based charge of Rs 25 per km for AC cabs and Rs 21 per km for non-AC cabs from the passengers. Deepak Sane, President of Vidarbha App-based Taxi Union, confirmed the development saying that there was no other option left for the agitating drivers. “All the 4000-5000 cab drivers in Nagpur have decided to follow this new pricing system from Sunday morning,” he said. Deepak Bhandarkar, one of the drivers, said, “This system is being followed by the Ola, Uber, and Rapido cab drivers in Pune.

 

We are collecting justified fare from the passengers and they are also paying us without any hesitation,” he said. Interestingly, if the passengers refuse to pay as per the new system, the drivers cancel the booking. One of the passengers, requesting not to disclose his identity, told The Hitavada that he had to pay Rs 125 on account of taxi fare for a distance of about 5 km.

 

“Even as the mobile app was displaying Rs 87 fare, the driver insisted on paying as per their new system. Bhandarkar said that the drivers will follow the new fare pricing system. “Our leaders are negotiating with the Government agencies and other concerned authorities. We are expecting some favourable outcome in the coming days. Till then the passengers will have to follow this new system,” he said. Bhandarkar further said that the agitation of the drivers is still going on. In fact, the drivers have decided to launch fast-unto-death from Tuesday or Wednesday. A group of cab drivers from various parts of the State will meet in Mumbai on July 15 to decide the date for starting fast-unto-death. For the past couple of years, the cab drivers have been agitating.

 

On many occasions, they met the District Administration but nothing has happened. However, on this occasion, they appear more aggressive. On July 18, cab drivers observed total bandh across the State in support of their various demands. They want the Government to intervene and fix the rates with the help of Regional Transport Offices. At present, the companies are fixing the rates unilaterally. The drivers also want rollback of the Maharashtra Government’s decision to introduce e-bike taxis and withdrawal of the rule of blocking IDs without proper investigation of complaints.