Pune: Cab Fares Likely to Rise as Drivers Plan Uber Boycott in Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur
Pune, 25th July 2025: App-based cab services in Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur could face significant disruptions starting Friday, as cab drivers affiliated with the Indian Gig Workers’ Front have declared a boycott of the Uber platform. The move is expected to affect cab availability and lead to a spike in fares across the three cities.
The decision follows a legal standoff between Uber and protesting drivers. Uber had approached the Bombay High Court to seek relief from ongoing strikes, resulting in the court restraining driver unions and their members from obstructing or blocking Uber cabs. Other major ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Rapido did not pursue legal action.
“While we are exploring legal options, cab drivers have decided to voluntarily boycott the Uber application,” said Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Indian Gig Workers’ Front and head of the Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha. His statement came after a high-level meeting held at the transport commissioner’s office in Mumbai, which was attended by senior union leaders and RTO representatives from Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur.
According to sources in the transport sector, a majority of cabbies in Pune prefer using the Uber app. “Drivers have access to all three platforms—Uber, Ola, and Rapido—but if Uber is boycotted, we can certainly expect surge pricing due to reduced availability,” Kshirsagar warned.
Commuters are already feeling the pressure of rising fares and irregular service. Rajesh Shinde, a Koregaon Park resident, expressed his frustration: “Every day there’s a new issue. The fares have shot up, and most cabbies don’t follow what the apps display. They charge as per the RTA-approved rates. Why the Pune RTO isn’t taking any action is beyond comprehension.”
As per the current fare structure approved by Pune’s Regional Transport Authority (RTA), cab rides are priced at ₹75 for the first 3 kilometers and ₹25 for every kilometer thereafter.
Despite back-to-back meetings, no resolution has been reached. Kshirsagar revealed that app-based companies had promised during a meeting on Wednesday to provide a written assurance on when RTA-approved fares would be integrated into their apps. “No such letter has been submitted. That’s why the follow-up meeting was held today. But even now, no clarity has emerged,” he said.
With the court order limiting formal strikes, the drivers’ strategy has shifted to application-specific boycotts. While not technically a strike, the Uber boycott could significantly disrupt urban mobility in Maharashtra’s key cities starting Friday.
