Cab Scam? Pune Airport Passengers Forced to Opt for Costlier Rides
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat
Viman Nagar, 30th January 2025: Passengers at Pune Airport’s AeroMall have raised concerns over alleged unfair practices by cab aggregators Ola and Uber, accusing them of manipulating availability to push costlier ride options.
Travellers looking to book budget-friendly rides such as Ola Mini are frequently told by service representatives that these vehicles are unavailable or will take hours to arrive. As a result, customers are left with no choice but to opt for premium services like Ola Prime, which are significantly more expensive.
Adding to their frustration, passengers using the Ola booth for assisted bookings report that the One-Time Password (OTP) required to confirm the ride expires within five minutes, often due to a lack of available cabs. When they attempt to rebook, the same destination reflects a higher fare, forcing them to pay more than initially expected.
“This is nothing short of a scam,” said a traveller who faced the issue on Monday afternoon. “Every time I try booking Ola Mini, I am told it’s unavailable, and I am pushed towards Ola Prime, which costs almost double. The OTP expiration trick only makes it worse.”
Many passengers have complained about similar experiences at the cab booking booth on the second floor of AeroMall. Critics argue that this practice not only exploits customers but also increases profits for ride-hailing companies by directing users toward higher-priced services.
This issue comes amid existing challenges at Pune Airport regarding app-based cab refusals and long wait times. Also, passengers continue to report cab shortages and inflated fares.
Consumer rights activists and local authorities have been urged to investigate these allegations.
