After several commuters complained about the exorbitant amounts they were charged, cab aggregator apps like Ola, Uber, and Rapido were forced to stop providing taxi services in Karnataka. The Karnataka Department referred to concerns about the app-based taxi aggregators charging a minimum of Rs 100 for vehicle trips and dubbed it a “illegal practise” in a warning to Uber, Ola’s parent company ANI Technologies, and Rapido on Thursday, October 6. A compliance report must also be submitted by the aggregators, according to the regulation.
Transport Commissioner THM Kumar wrote the following in the notice: “The aggregators are operating their auto rickshaw services in defiance of government regulations. Additionally, the department has learned that customers are being charged rates that are higher than those set by the government.”
The notice required them to immediately cease providing vehicle services and to cease charging auto passengers more than the regulated amount. The agency also threatened legal punishment if they disregarded the order. The warning stated that auto services should be discontinued and that clients shouldn’t be charged more than the government-mandated fare.
The Transport Commissioner responded to TNM when asked what the department’s strategy was for when the app-based aggregators stopped operating automobiles in Bengaluru. “Upon accessing the report submitted by ANI Technologies, we will take necessary steps.”
The minimum government-mandated vehicle charge is Rs 30 for the first two kilometres and Rs 15 for each additional kilometre, according to numbers determined last year.
Source: The News Minute
