Your Uber ride would cost you 15% more than earlier. Here's why

Next time you book an Uber, be prepared to shell out more money as it has increased its ride time charges by 50%.

Now, the ride time charge will be Rs 1.5 per minute. Earlier it was Re 1.

Uber now charges Rs 6 per km up to 20 km and Rs 12 per km thereafter.

The ride time charges -- calculated on the basis of total time of the ride -- for 'UberPOOL' and 'UberX' have also been hiked to Rs 1.5 per minute.

When contacted, an Uber spokesperson said: "Starting January 5, 2017, we have made some changes to our pricing structure in Delhi, NCR in order to serve the city better."

Last year, Uber had introduced 'upfront fare' under which the company calculates and shows rates depending on expected time and distance of travel and local traffic. The fares fluctuate due to demand.

Affordable pricing has been one of the important factors driving the uptake of on-demand taxi services in the country.

Uber in engaged in an intense battle in the Indian market with local rival Ola as well as radio taxi operators like Meru.

The company, which operates in 29 Indian cities, counts India as its second largest market, after the US.