Cab drivers in the city feel the cash heat, as users prefer to pay online

Here’s a look at how the denomination rejig is affecting cab drivers in the Capital and frequent users of their services.

With the rush to exchange old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes on a giddying high, all of us are struggling in our own ways to catch up. Cab drivers in the city are also feeling the heat, with some of them insisting on cash payments from customers who have no change to spare.

Cab drivers say they are struggling with cash payments while users claim that they are being refused services as they prefer to pay online.(Vipin Kumar/HT Photo)

“Saare online pay karna chaahte hai, jiski wajah se humaare paas CNG ke liye bhi cash nahi hai. (All customers want to pay by online wallets so I don’t even have cash to pay for CNG). The gas station is accepting old notes, but they don’t have change. So, if I buy gas worth Rs 250 with a Rs 500 note they don’t return the rest of the money,” says Manish Gupta (name changed), a driver of a cab service in the city.

Kriti Sharma, a professional in the Capital agrees that drivers are insisting on cash payments. “I am being told while I am booking a cab that I should pay by cash.”

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However, cab services in the Capital say that online payments can be beneficial for all.

“ We have seen a growth of over 15 times on our online recharge. This move marks the beginning of a significant step towards a cashless economy. We are urging our customers to conserve cash and use our online wallet instead for their mobility needs ,” says Pallav Singh, SVP and head, Ola Money. Gagandeep Singh, an Ola driver agrees, adding that the money reflects in his account within a few hours, enabling him to also not depend on cash.

Though unavailable to comment, a blogpost on Uber India’s website said: “We encourage the government to adopt practical measures that can make digital transactions more convenient and seamless.. During this transition period, we request our riders to link their Uber account to digital payment methods or carry smaller denomination currency for a seamless experience.”