Hyderabad: With back to back parties lined up for Christmas and New Year, bookings for cabs after party hours have gone up tremendously in the city, with the rates going as high as Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000. The rates are expected to go up further in prime locations.

Private agencies offering drivers on hourly basis have also jacked up prices threefold as there is no rule to control the prices of cabs in the city.

Hyderabad currently has a range of per-kilometre prices offered by taxi operators, from Rs 10 to Rs 24 per km, depending on the company. The sector is completely unorganised and operates on competition.

“There are additional rates for year-end bookings, especially during the night hours,” said a Yellow cab operator, Nasir.

“While on regular weekends, cabs charge on per kilometre basis, bookings for year-end parties will include Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 waiting charges.

Booking the cabs itself is not an easy affair as most cabs have been booked by party organisers,” said Aditya Sahu, a party regular.

“Currently, there is no rule to control cab prices in the city and operators hike prices according to the season.

These varying prices can be controlled by passing a government order, but so far there is no control on the fares,” said joint transport commissioner T. Raghunath.

Also, as a chunk of party goers opt for party packages, which include food, drinks and drop facilities; cabs are thus being booked in bulk by party organisers.

“All our 25 cabs have been booked for a party venue. During this time of the year, there is a sudden increase in demand and hence the extra charges,” said Saeed Moin Khan, who operates a private cab agency.