Cab rides are going to be costlier in Delhi-NCR. App-based cab aggregator Uber announced on Monday that it was going to increase trip fares by 12% in Delhi-NCR to help its driver partners.
The decision comes in the wake of a series of protests by different associations of cab, taxi and auto drivers over the increase in the CNG prices in Delhi-NCR. Since March, the CNG price in the national capital has increased by Rs 12.48 per kg and stands at Rs 69.11.
“To help cushion drivers from the impact, Uber has raised trip fares in Delhi-NCR by 12%,” said Nitish Bhushan, head of central operations, Uber India and South Asia. “Over the coming weeks, we will continue to track fuel price movements and will take further steps as needed,” he added.
Uber later clarified that the increase would be calculated on the base fare of a trip, notwithstanding the time of travel. The hike won’t be linked with the surge pricing.
Kamaljeet Gill, president of Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi, said the 12% increase wouldn’t help drivers much. “Cab fares should be fixed by the government and an aggregator policy should be in place,” Gill said. “In many cases, cab fares are cheaper than that of autos and there is no profit left to be made by the driver,” he claimed.
Despite repeated attempts, Ola, another app-based cab aggregator, refused to confirm if it had increased trip fares.
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