By, Ishita Malakar
Pune: Beginning from Tuesday, September 23, 2025, anyone in Maharashtra who books a cab through popular ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido will see new government-approved fares applied to their rides. This latest directive is set to affect millions of daily commuters who depend on these app-based taxi services. The goal is to create a more consistent pricing structure across different operators. Officials have stated that this initiative aims to enhance transparency in fare calculations and tackle ongoing issues related to overcharging and surge pricing. By implementing these uniform rates, the government also hopes to reduce the number of unauthorized operators that are currently operating without proper oversight.
In a circular issued by Assistant Transport Commissioner Bharat Kalsakar, ride-hailing companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido were told to update their apps with the new government-mandated fares by 5 pm on September 18, 2025. This notice gave the companies just two days to make the necessary changes, highlighting the urgency of the regulatory push. However, officials reported that the deadline came and went without any of the operators implementing the required updates, indicating a clear standoff between the state transport department and the cab aggregators.
In light of the ongoing uncertainty around pricing, the Transport Department has put together a temporary fare structure to provide some guidance for both operators and commuters. Officials have made it clear that the final rates are still being reviewed and will be announced when the time is right.
The fare system is set at ₹28 per kilometer for hatchbacks like the Wagon R, ₹31 per kilometer for sedans such as the Swift Dzire, and ₹34 per kilometer for SUVs, including the Ertiga.
In its latest announcement, the Transport Department has urged travelers to stick to the new fare structure and to report any wrongdoing they encounter with cab or bike taxi services. Officials emphasized that this move is part of a larger initiative to regulate gig-based transport and protect the interests of commuters throughout the state.