76% of app-taxi users back driver-cancellation penalties as Maharashtra caps surge fares

A LocalCircles survey of 22,317 respondents across 288 districts found strong support for penalties on drivers cancelling accepted rides. Maharashtra’s 2025 aggregator-cab policy sets fare-linked cancellation charges and caps surge pricing at 1.5 times the base fare.

— Source publishedMon, 3 Aug, 2026, 15:08 IST·First seen Mon, 3 Aug, 2026, 16:23 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

Maharashtra Aggregator Cabs Policy 2025 · A LocalCircles survey found 76% of Indian app-taxi users want state-level penalties for drivers cancelling accepted

Key facts

  • 76% of 22,317 respondents backed penalties for drivers cancelling accepted rides
  • 14% supported penalties if passengers also face unjustified-cancellation penalties
  • 5% supported limited free driver cancellations
  • Driver penalty: 10% of fare or Rs 100, whichever is lower
  • Airport, railway station and hospital cancellation penalty: 50% of fare
  • Surge pricing capped at 1.5 times base fare
  • Responses came from 288 districts

Why this matters

Partnership and acquisition targets in dispatch optimisation, driver incentives and fare-compliance technology gain strategic relevance as regulated service quality becomes a differentiator.