1 day ago
Mumbai Commuters Allege Rapido Overcharging; Transport Department Plans Action
Some Mumbai passengers say auto drivers refuse short trips when asked to use the meter.
They say the same drivers may accept those trips through the Rapido app for more money.
One passenger said a ride usually costing about Rs 40 was shown as Rs 76 on Rapido.
He also said he normally pays around Rs 29-30 when there is little traffic.
The transport department says it will ask Rapido to explain the fares.
Rapido did not comment when asked about the allegations.
The report also says some illegal bike taxis are still operating in Mumbai.
Some passengers on those bikes allegedly do not get helmets.
Commuters allege that some Mumbai auto drivers reject short metered trips but accept them through Rapido at higher fares.
Passenger Krishna N Singh said a Rapido ride from Goregaon station to Oberoi Mall cost Rs 76, compared with an estimated metered fare of around Rs 40.
Singh said he normally pays about Rs 29-30 for the same journey when traffic is light.
Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said a show-cause notice would be issued to Rapido, while Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik called the alleged practice overcharging.
The article also reports continued illegal bike-taxi operations, including motorcycles with white number plates and alleged failures to provide helmets.
- Who
- Mumbai commuters, Rapido, auto-rickshaw drivers, Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
- What
- Commuters allege that short auto rides cost more through Rapido after drivers reject the same trips on the meter; the transport department plans a show-cause notice.
- Where
- Mumbai, including the route between Goregaon station and Oberoi Mall.
- When
- September 16, 2026.
- Why
- The department is examining alleged overcharging, the fare structure for short trips, and reports that commuters may be pushed toward aggregator bookings when drivers refuse metered rides.
Commuter and regulator concerns
Rapido’s unprovided response
Short-trip fares
Commuter and regulator concerns
Commuters allege that drivers refuse short metered trips but accept the same rides through Rapido at substantially higher fares. The transport department plans to examine the fare structure and circumstances behind the charges.
Rapido’s unprovided response
Rapido was asked why the cited ride cost Rs 76, whether it uses a fixed fare structure, and how it prevents overcharging, but the company declined to comment.
Driver ride acceptance
Commuter and regulator concerns
Krishna N Singh said multiple drivers refused his short ride, leaving him to book through Rapido; officials said the alleged practice would be examined.
Rapido’s unprovided response
The article does not provide a response from the drivers or Rapido explaining why the rides were not accepted on the meter.
Bike-taxi enforcement
Commuter and regulator concerns
The report says illegal bike taxis continue to operate, sometimes without helmets and without the required electric two-wheelers, creating safety and enforcement concerns.
Rapido’s unprovided response
The article does not include a statement from bike-taxi operators or an enforcement agency explaining the continued operations.
Key facts
- Reported Rapido fare
- Rs 76 for a ride from Goregaon station to Oberoi Mall.
- Reported metered fare
- Around Rs 40 for the same distance, according to commuter Krishna N Singh.
- Usual fare cited by commuter
- About Rs 29-30 when there is no traffic.
- Planned regulatory action
- The transport department said it would issue a show-cause notice to Rapido.
- Transport Commissioner
- Rajesh Narvekar said action would be taken.
- Transport Minister's view
- Pratap Sarnaik termed the alleged practice overcharging and said it would be examined.
- Additional concern
- Illegal bike taxis allegedly operate with regular white number plates, and some pillion passengers reportedly do not receive helmets.
Quotes
Rajesh Narvekar
Mumbai Transport Commissioner
“I asked multiple auto-rickshaw drivers, but they refused. When I booked through Rapido, the ride was accepted, but the fare was almost double or more than the normal meter fare”
freepressjournal.in
“Yes, we will send a show-cause notice to Rapido and will take action”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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