Pune RTO Clarifies: Uber Auto Drivers Can Charge Meter Fare with Prior Passenger Consent

Pune, 8th April 2025: Amid growing confusion among commuters using app-based auto services in Pune, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has clarified that autorickshaw drivers using Uber can legally charge passengers based on the RTO-approved meter — but only if the fare arrangement is disclosed before the ride begins.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Deputy Regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosle stated, “There has been no official correspondence from Uber regarding any changes. Our primary concern remains passenger safety and protection against overcharging. If an autorickshaw driver informs the passenger in advance that the journey will be charged by the meter, we won’t initiate any punitive action.”

This clarification follows a series of complaints where commuters were allegedly charged fares that exceeded the app’s estimate — either via inflated meter readings or arbitrary demands, leading to confusion and frustration.

Under the revised guidelines introduced in March, fares shown on ride-hailing platforms like Uber are to be treated as indicative. The final fare must be mutually agreed upon by the driver and the commuter. Uber is no longer permitted to charge a commission for these rides, and payments are to be made directly to the driver through cash or UPI.

Uber has shifted its auto services to a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, where the platform now facilitates bookings without regulating the final fare, according to a company spokesperson.

Rickshaw driver unions have been actively involved in discussions with RTO officials. Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Baghtoy Rickshawaala Union, said, “There was concern among drivers due to reports claiming that action would be taken if they charged by the meter after an Uber booking. But the RTO clarified that as long as the fare structure is communicated beforehand, there is no issue. We plan to hold a meeting on April 18 with Uber and Ola cab drivers to explore a similar system for cabs, though challenges exist since cabs lack physical meters.”

It’s worth noting that in March last year, the Regional Transport Authority had denied aggregator licences to Ola and Uber to operate legally in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Baramati, citing regulatory issues.

As summer heat and transport demand rise, the lack of clarity and enforcement around ride fares has left many commuters caught in a grey zone between tech platforms and transport laws.