Mumbai Ola Uber Rapido Adopt Black-Yellow Cab Fare Amid Driver Agitation

Mumbai Ola Uber Rapido have been ordered by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) to follow black-yellow taxi fares until new rates are fixed. This directive comes after drivers of app-based cabs demanded a fare hike, warning of agitation if their demands were ignored.

According to the order, Ola, Uber, and Rapido must update their apps by September 18 to reflect the revised base fares. The black-yellow taxis currently charge ₹20.66 per km for non-AC rides and ₹22.72 per km for AC rides. While discounts of up to 25 per cent are allowed during low demand, fares can rise to 1.5 times in peak hours. Importantly, drivers will receive 80 per cent of the total fare collected.

This decision follows protests from gig workers and cab unions who argued that app-based aggregators were undercutting traditional taxis and leaving drivers with shrinking earnings. Many drivers gathered at the Transport Commissioner’s office to voice anger over low fares and the government’s plan to allow bike taxis, threatening stronger protests on September 30 if demands remain unmet.

The new fare structure will make passengers pay around ₹5 more per kilometer, reshaping Mumbai’s ride-hailing market.