Pune: Commuters have said success of the cab aggregator policy hinged entirely on strict enforcement to curb overcharging, ride refusals and unruly behaviour by drivers.The Pune RTO officials have said all cab aggregators would have to obtain fresh licences under the new policy.Meanwhile, daily commuters were unconvinced that the new framework would translate into any change. They said authorities had, so far, failed to rein in fleecing, arbitrary meter fare demands and instances of drivers’ rude or aggressive behaviour. They have raised questions over how effectively the policy would be enforced.A senior RTO official told TOI: “The official notification is yet to reach us. We will be able to comment on the finer details after receiving it. All aggregators will have to apply for licences from the State Transport Authority. Once approved, the respective RTOs will allow them to operate. They will have to comply strictly with the policy’s provisions.”Sameep Banerjee, a private sector employee from Undri, said arguments with cab drivers was a routine part of his commute. “I reach home irritated almost every day. I’m not excited about the aggregator policy, because rules on paper mean nothing without implementation. The RTO has repeatedly said cab drivers should follow govt-approved fares, yet we continue to bear demands of ‘meter fare’, ‘monsoon fare’ and ‘AC fare’. Before introducing new regulations, the authorities should ask themselves whether they are prepared to enforce them,” he said.Safety remains another major concern. Earlier this week, a video from Pune went viral showing a cab driver stopping his vehicle late at night and telling three women passengers to get down after they objected to him picking up a friend during the ride.Magarpatta resident Jayatri Rajan, who works in Shivajinagar, said such incidents had shaken commuters’ confidence. “The policy allows women to opt for female drivers in pooled rides, but how many female cab drivers are actually available in Pune? Many cabs have panic buttons, but passengers say they often don’t work. I prefer taking an autorickshaw, because I feel safer,” she said.Regular flyer and IT professional Chiranjeet Bal said overcharging continued unabated, particularly at Pune airport. “Drivers often call immediately after a booking asking for meter fare or extra charges. If you refuse, they don’t cancel the ride and keep you waiting. If the RTO hasn’t been able to stop this until now, what guarantee is there that the policy will change things?” he said.Drivers too have voiced concerns about the new regulations. “I’m from Uttar Pradesh. I’ve heard Marathi will be mandatory now. I started driving seven months ago and I don’t know the language. How am I supposed to learn it immediately? The govt should also explain the process to obtain the mandatory driver badge,” said cab driver Umesh Rai.Indian Gig Workers Front and Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha president Keshav Kshirsagar welcomed several provisions in the policy, but cautioned that poor implementation could dilute its impact. “The policy broadly follows the Centre’s Aggregator Guidelines, but several recommendations made by labour unions have been left out. A robust monitoring mechanism is essential to ensure transparency. The govt should first establish an efficient emergency response system, before mandating features like SOS buttons. Besides, over 90% of cab drivers were never properly informed about the badge requirement. They should be given adequate time for the same before enforcement,” he told TOI.
