Uber hikes taxi fares up to 50 percent in Delhi-NCR

New Delhi: Transportation app Uber has hiked fares of its entry-level offering 'UberGo' by up to 50 percent in Delhi-NCR. The US-based firm has increased the minimum fare from Rs 40 to Rs 60, while ride time charge has been raised to Rs 1.5 per minute from Rs 1 earlier. Uber now charges Rs 6 per km up to 20 km and Rs 12 per km thereafter.

The ride time charges -- calculated on the basis of total time of the ride -- for 'UberPOOL' and 'UberX' have also been hiked to Rs 1.5 per minute. When contacted, an Uber spokesperson said: "Starting January 5, 2017, we have made some changes to our pricing structure in Delhi, NCR in order to serve the city better." Last year, Uber had introduced 'upfront fare' under which the company calculates and shows rates depending on expected
time and distance of travel and local traffic. The fares fluctuate due to demand.

Affordable pricing has been one of the important factors driving the uptake of on-demand taxi services in the country. Uber in engaged in an intense battle in the Indian market with local rival Ola as well as radio taxi operators like Meru.

The company, which operates in 29 Indian cities, counts India as its second largest market, after the US.