Your Uber and Ola fares are set to rise, thanks to CNG price hike
Adding to our inflation worries, Indraprastha Gas Limited has announced a hike in the price of CNG. While buyers used to pay Rs 61.61 for a kilo of CNG, they will now be paying Rs 64.11 for the same amount. That is a raise of Rs 2.50 per kg.
Not only Delhi, CNG has seen a huge spike in prices in Noida and Ghaziabad too. The price now is Rs 66.68 per kilo.
Meanwhile in Meerut, the price of CNG is now Rs 71.36 per kilo; and in Gurugram, the price is Rs 72.45 per kilo.
The spike in CNG prices comes after a rise in petrol and diesel prices. Currently, the price of petrol is Rs 103.81 per litre and the price of diesel is Rs 95.07 per litre in Delhi.
THE BLOWBACK: The rising prices are forcing Uber and Ola drivers to resort to desperate measures. A cab driver in Delhi has said that it is because of the fuel price hike that drivers are not turning on the AC. "In view of the hike in the CNG price, we're not in favour of switching on the cab's air conditioner for passengers. The increased price has hit our budget", he told ANI.
Although the trend started two years ago, it peaked during 2022's fuel price rise. Cab drivers are now directly telling passengers that they won't run the AC after paying an increased commission to the 'aggregator' (ie, Uber or Ola) and managing the rising fuel prices, even though passengers are paying the fees for the AC.
WHAT PASSENGERS ARE GOING THROUGH: A user from Kolkata tweeted on April 4, "Dear @Uber_India @Uber_Support Taxis booked from your app in #Kolkata refuse to switch on AC during ride. Today I had first hand experience during 17.5 KM ride in Kolkata (vehicle no. WB052458, my Transaction Id: 39736111700). Why harassing passengers in #Kolkata?"
Some cab drivers have resorted to putting up "No AC" signs to avoid arguements. Here is a picture one Twitter user posted of the 'No AC' sign:
Another user tweeted, "Dear @Uber_India @Uber_Support None of your cab drivers want to switch on the A/C in this scorching heat. They outrightly refuse. It’s better to take an auto at half the price. We suggest you to have another option of A/C & non A/C cabs with a pricing strategy in place.
One user tweeted, "This is the high time you should really look into the matter. If you don’t put AC on at around this hot temperature after paying such high fare then why should we hire you?????????? How many times we should complain it ??????Vehicle no: WB25K1215"
General Secretary of Kolkata Ola Uber App Operator and Drivers' Union, Md Manu said, "We know drivers are facing some challenges. However, we urge all drivers to deliver the best possible customer service and switch on the AC during the trip."
UBER REACTS: In response to the rising prices of fuel, Uber has announced a 15% hike in its prices in Mumbai. Currently in Mumbai, the price of petrol is Rs 100.10 per litre and diesel is priced at Rs 115.88 per litre.
In 2021, both Ola and Uber had hiked their prices by 15%.
Nitish Bhushan, Head of Central Operations, Uber India and South Asia said in a statement, "We listen to feedback from drivers and understand that the current rise in fuel prices is causing concern. To help cushion drivers from the impact of the spike in fuel prices, Uber is raising trip fares in Mumbai by 15%. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to track fuel price movements and will take further steps as needed."
Ola has yet not announced a price hike but is expected to make a similar announcement soon. Cab prices are also expected to rise in Delhi soon.
This is how we are now going to commute to work: