This story is from October 23, 2018

Commuters suffer as cab prices soar in NCR, rides get cancelled

Commuters suffer as cab prices soar in NCR, rides get cancelled
A view of a fuel station during a strike called by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association for reduction in VAT, in New Delhi
NEW DELHI: It was Manic Monday for commuters in Delhi and neighbouring cities. Not only were the petrol pumps closed to protest the non-reduction of VAT on fuel, but a partial strike by autorickshaws and taxis and fewer buses due to a protest of contractual employees of Delhi Transport Corporation, meant people had to contend with long waits for app-based cabs and higher than normal fares due to dynamic pricing.

“I had some work in south campus and had to visit Lodhi Road from there. When I tried to book a cab, the price was Rs 260, though the usual rate is Rs 120-140,” said Jasjeet Singh, a Jangpura resident. “Nonetheless, I booked the cab, but the wait time was 10 minutes, which then went up to 20 minutes.” Frustrated, he said, he ended up taking the Delhi Metro instead.
The delays in the cabs arriving were also because most cabs run on CNG in the capital and with many petrol pumps having linked CNG dispensing units shut on the day, the cab drivers got stuck in long queues at CNG stations. On top of this, there were reports that running cabs were being vandalised by the protesting drivers. Not all taxi and autorickshaw unions joined the strike on Monday, but it still affected smooth commuting.
“After the cab driver arrived at my residence in Noida’s Sector 110 to take me to Hauz Khas, he requested me to cancel the ride because he said cars were being vandalised at the Delhi border,” recalled Akanksha Chopra, a marketing executive. “I booked another cab, but found myself facing a huge surge pricing.”
Later, when she booked another cab to reach Sarita Vihar, the cabbie informed her that he couldn’t use the AC to save on fuel and would have to stop at a CNG station if he ran out of fuel on the way. “He also requested me to say that it was my own car if protestors stopped us on the road,” said Chopra.
Parul Sharma, a student, travelling to Connaught Place from JNU, found the fare almost double the normal. “On Monday morning, the fare for a pool ride was Rs 260 when the ride usually doesn’t cost me more than Rs 100,” she said.

Commuting by cab from Noida to Delhi and Ghaziabad too was affected by surge pricing due to the heavy demand. Both the Ola and Uber apps showed fares much higher than regular between 9am and 12 noon.
The Sarvodaya Drivers’ Welfare Association said that its members across NCR had joined the Delhi cabbies in the protest. “Only 10% of the drivers operated in the Noida-Ghaziabad region on Monday. The few who took their vehicles out were those in dire need of money and we did not stop them,” said Bablu, a member of the working committee of the drivers’ association. In Ghaziabad, many app-based taxis remained off the road, with some drivers even stopping their fellow drivers near the Kanavani police post on the CISF Road.
An Uber spokesperson later said, “We regret the disruption caused to our riders and driver-partner community due to a small group of individuals. We remain committed to serving the city and ensuring that our driver partners continue to access a stable income, while giving riders a convenient, reliable option to get around their city.”
The effect of the strike, even if partial, was compounded by fewer DTC buses on the road. Contract workers, demanding permanent appointments, kept away and a DTC official said, “Only 65% of our bus fleet could be put into operation on Monday as many employees, including drivers and conductors, stayed away from work.”
The dismal situation, however, was a jackpot for auto drivers and the hapless commuters were forced to pay much more than usual.
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