Summer has sent surge pricing by ride-hailing apps to a new high in Hyderabad. As the mercury stayed close to 40 degrees Celsius, commuters using the apps complained about the surge pricing. Some commuters took to social media to raise the issue with the government. “@KTRTRS we are suffering lot with Ola and Uber surge price in Hyderabad city. It’s like double and triple the fare. We request you to raise our concern on behalf of the people. We want your government to take strict action against this. We wish you will act on this like the Delhi government,” tweeted a commuter Ravi, upset with the high prevailing fares. Commuters travelling short distances like 5 km and 10 km were not spared from the surge and had to pay a few hundred rupees where the normal fare is usually about ₹ 100 or ₹ 150.
“I find especially the short distance fares horribly high. And no matter what time of the day the app says it’s high demand time. Reporting from #Hyderabad,” tweeted another user.
“In the afternoon there is surge pricing as it is very hot and people who can afford it are using cabs. There are fewer cabs on the road due to Ramzan and marriage season,” said G. Ramulu, who drives a Uber cab. “Even in the evening the surge continues as the traffic becomes very slow,” informed Ramulu, who has been driving the cab for the last three years.
Even bike taxi companies have jumped into the surge bandwagon to the dismay of its customers. “Dear @RapidoCares you become more expensive in Hyderabad... even Ola, Uber pricing so much cheaper then you,” tweeted one user of the bike service.
On Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., the average surge was about four times the normal rates to various locations in the city. In contrast to the free-wheeling surge policy in Hyderabad, the Delhi government has slapped a ban on the policy. The Karnataka High Court has also banned surge pricing by ride-hailing companies.
“@ola_supports, even flight ticket from Hyderabad to Delhi will not cost this much. I am sharing a screenshot,” tweeted an user.