Telangana: Traffic restrictions increase cab fares

Hyderabad: Cabs in the city are making a quick buck thanks to the traffic restrictions for the Ganesh Navaratri and the closure of roads around Hussain Sagar. Although the managements of the private companies Ola and Uber have not announced any hike in charges, passengers feel they are paying more on regular routes.

G K Rama Krishna, a techie from Ameerpet, says he used to pay Rs 230 for his daily commute but for the last three days, he has paid Rs 390 to Rs 460. “I don’t know why taxi fares have increased in the city. When I ask the driver, he replies that it is surge pricing (a practice whereby when the demand is high, cabs charge more). When plenty of cabs are available on the mobile app of the cab operator, why are they charging more I don’t know,” he said.

A Rama Krishna, an owner-cum-driver from Maheswaram, who works for Uber, said that there was no hike in taxi charges in the city. “Even our competitors have not increased charges. I am sure that the series of holidays in the last five days has increased the demand for cabs and customers are charged more (surge pricing),” he said.

President of the Telangana State Cab and Bus Operators' Association, Syed Nizamuddin, said that it is manipulation by the managements of cab services and there is no increase in demand for cabs or shortage of cabs. 

“In view of the rush at the Khairatabad Ganesha and surrounding localities, cab managements are increasing charges by imposing surge-pricing. The additional charge being collected in surge cases will go to managements not to drivers,” he said.