Pune RTO Unaware of Cab Drivers Using Unofficial Fare Website, Launches Inquiry
Pune, 14th May 2025: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Pune has initiated an investigation after receiving complaints that some Uber and Ola drivers in the city are directing passengers to a third-party website to determine ride fares—ignoring the rates shown on the official ride-hailing apps.
Several commuters have reported that after completing their rides, drivers instructed them to visit www.onlymeter.in, input the travel distance, and pay the fare displayed there—often higher than the amount calculated by the app. This practice has raised concerns about fare manipulation.
Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad said that the department had no prior knowledge of the website. “We have not received any official intimation about such a platform, nor has any representative from the Gig Workers’ Front approached us regarding this matter,” Gaikwad said. “We will now look into these user complaints and take appropriate measures.”
She encouraged passengers facing fare discrepancies to lodge formal complaints with the RTO. “Travelers can email us at [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp at 8275330101. We request complainants to include screenshots and vehicle registration numbers as proof,” she added.
The website in question, OnlyMeter.in, has been developed by the Indian Gig Workers’ Front, a group representing app-based drivers. Keshav Kshirsagar, the organization’s president, claimed the platform calculates fares based on rates sanctioned by the government for metered taxis.
However, RTO officials maintain that any fare-calculation tool must be vetted before public use. “An external group cannot introduce fare systems without informing or seeking clearance from the transport authorities,” said another RTO official who did not wish to be named. “Passengers deserve clarity and fairness, and bypassing official mechanisms only causes confusion.”
The transport department has assured citizens that complaints will be thoroughly verified, especially when app fares and external website fares differ significantly.
