Uber on Friday said it was increasing trip fares by 12 per cent in Kolkata to support driver earnings following the fuel price hike, but commuters have one raging question: will the car AC be switched on now?
The increased trip fares are applicable for UberGo, Go Sedan, Premier and Uber XL. Uber Moto fares remain the same.
Attributing the hike to rising fuel prices and resultant distress to drivers, an Uber spokesperson said the company was also asking drivers to switch on the AC for riders.
There have been multiple complaints from riders about drivers refusing to switch on the AC citing the rise in fuel prices.
The Uber app showed an upfront fare of Rs 219.74 for an UberGo ride from Ballygunge Phanri to Chandni Chowk Metro station on Friday evening. The fare details displayed by the app showed the hike had been rolled out.
“We listen to feedback from drivers and understand that the current rise in fuel prices is causing concern. To help cushion drivers from this impact, Uber is raising trip fares in Kolkata by 12 per cent. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to track fuel price movements and will take further steps as needed,” said Nitish Bhushan, head of central operations, Uber India and South Asia.
An Uber spokesperson said all three components — base fare, per-kilometre fare and per-minute fare — have increased. "For the rider, a trip of Rs 100 will now cost Rs 112," he said.
Even before the hike was announced, many Kolkatans complained that the fares were steep, especially because the AC was not switched on.
Last week, a resident of Gariahat in south Kolkata had booked an Uber ride (Maruti Alto) and paid Rs 154 for travelling less than 4km. The driver said the AC was not working.
Social media is flooded with such complaints.
On Friday, an Uber driver, when asked about the fare hike, showed his driver app communication from the aggregator. The communication stated that a 7km-ride from the Victoria Memorial to Science City, with a ride time of 18 minutes, will earn the driver Rs 150, post-hike. Before the hike, the earning was Rs 134, around 13 per cent less.
“For the rider, the fare will include a 20 per cent commission charged by Uber. So a ride from Victoria to Science City will cost the rider about Rs 180 now,” said Indronil Banerjee of Online Cab Operators Guild.
Similarly, a 23km-ride from Joka to Howrah will earn the driver Rs 410, compared with Rs 354 before the hike.