In the bustling city of Mumbai, India, autorickshaw and cab fares have skyrocketed due to a shortage caused by a strike over the mandatory Marathi language requirement for commercial drivers and ongoing checks. As a result, Mumbaikars are now paying up to double the regular fare for 10-km rides, with some apps charging as high as Rs 600 during peak hours. This surge in prices comes amidst the monsoon season, where even short journeys can mean long waits for a ride. The fares on ride-hailing apps like Uber, Ola, and Rapido fluctuate based on demand, vehicle availability, and time of booking, leaving commuters travelling during peak hours to face significantly higher prices than usual. Prior to the recent strike, commuters in and around Mumbai already faced a fare increase, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) approving new base fares on August 20, raising the minimum autorickshaw and taxi fares. The Maharashtra government defends this exercise as a means to ensure passenger convenience and safety, but drivers have expressed grievances about how the test is being conducted, claiming that RTO officials are asking questions not mandated by the government. The strike and its fallout may leave many Mumbaikars feeling like tourists in their own city.