Pune: Travelers Allege Deliberate Delays in Budget Cab Bookings at Airport, Forcing Them to Book Premium Cabs
Pune, December 09, 2024: Passengers arriving at Pune Airport are raising concerns over alleged manipulation in online cab booking algorithms, which they claim forces them to choose costlier rides.
According to multiple accounts, aggregator platforms are delaying the availability of economical Mini car options, pushing users toward more expensive Sedan rides that get booked almost instantly.
Frequent travelers have pointed out that mini car rides, which cost 40-50% less than sedan rides, are deliberately delayed, causing significant inconvenience. Passengers are now demanding intervention from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
Legal experts suggest that affected commuters can escalate such cases to the CCPA, which is empowered to act against unfair trade practices, including algorithm manipulation. The regulatory body has previously issued notices to aggregators for similar grievances, including lack of transparency, unreasonable charges, and insufficient consumer redressal mechanisms.
The CCPA advises consumers to become convergence partners with the National Consumer Helpline to improve grievance resolution. With mounting complaints, passengers hope for stringent action to ensure fair practices by online cab platforms.
