Impact of Uber on the Autorickshaw Industry – Consumer Perspectives in Pune

Abstract

The emergence of ride-hailing services like Uber has disrupted the traditional transportation industry worldwide, and India has not been an exception. In India, Uber competes with the ubiquitous autorickshaws, which are a popular and affordable mode of transport. This paper examines the impact of Uber on the autorickshaw industry from the customer's perspective in Pune, a city in western India with a population of approximately 4.3 million people. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Ola have rapidly grown in popularity, particularly in urban areas. In Pune, Uber has emerged as a significant competitor to autorickshaws, with over 1 million registered users in the city. Uber offers customers a range of benefits, including a cashless payment system, reliable service, and the option to track their ride in real-time. Moreover, the autorickshaw industry relies on a closed, exclusive system that favors drivers over customers. This approach has resulted in poor service quality and a lack of innovation. Uber has had a significant impact on the autorickshaw industry in Pune and India. The study conducted in Pune suggests that Uber has significantly impacted the autorickshaw industry by increasing competition and pushing for improved service quality. Overall, the paper contributes to the literature on the sharing economy and its impact on traditional industries in emerging markets.