Update: Uber has issued a statement:
“We condemn the violence and intimidation of drivers that has led to disruption of services in certain parts of Pune. The demand posed to increase cab fares if implemented, will make the rider pay upto 60% more and will make rides prohibitively expensive for a large section of people who depend on us to reliably get around their city. It will eventually hurt drivers’ livelihood as it will impact overall rides.”
Earlier..
Drivers associated with cab aggregators Ola and Uber in Pune have suspended services from March 5th in protest after the companies failed to implement a long-pending fare revision.
Talks Between Unions, District Officials Fail
A meeting chaired by District Collector Suhas Diwase on March 4th between driver unions and the cab companies could not reach an amicable solution on the fare hike issue.
The unions have accused Ola and Uber of defying a revised fare structure notified by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) on January 3rd this year.
Despite being issued a 7-day show cause notice by the RTO on February 17th to comply with the new official fares, the aggregators claimed implementing higher tariffs would be detrimental to customers.
Unions Threaten Escalation After Strike Call
Major unions like the Indian Gig Workers Front (IGF) and Maa Saheb Cab Sanstha (MSCS) have suspended cab services until their demand for a fare revision is met.
However, auto-rickshaw services under the unions will continue normal operations as they run on fare meters.
The unions have alleged a lack of transparency from authorities, with the RTO refusing to share Ola and Uber’s formal responses to the show cause notice during Saturday’s meeting.
After failing to get permission for an immediate protest, the MSCS has announced plans to stage a demonstration outside the District Collector’s office on March 6th if the issue remains unresolved.
