Pune: Uber Auto Drivers in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to Operate as Per Meter Rates from April 1
Starting April 1, 2025, Uber auto-rickshaw drivers in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad will operate as per meter rates, aligning with traditional auto-rickshaw fare systems. This significant change comes after Uber signed a new agreement with auto drivers on February 18, 2025, shifting from an aggregator model to a Software as a Service (SAAS) model.
Under the new agreement, Uber will no longer take commissions from drivers. Instead, drivers will pay a fixed daily software usage fee of ₹19. Uber will not interfere in transactions between drivers and passengers, and drivers must adhere to government regulations.
A key change is that fares displayed on the Uber app will now be indicative rather than binding. The final fare will be determined by the driver using the meter, eliminating surge pricing during peak hours or adverse weather conditions. This move aims to balance fare structures, ensuring fair pricing for passengers and stable earnings for drivers.
Uber’s legal relationship with drivers has also been redefined. The company will no longer have an employer-employee or service provider-customer relationship with drivers, meaning labor and consumer protection laws will no longer apply to Uber in this context.
While the mobile app has not yet been updated to reflect these changes, drivers are proactively informing passengers by keeping copies of the agreement in their rickshaws. This initiative aims to spread awareness and ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
