Cab drivers were being paid less while charging extra fares through aggregators like Ola, Uber, Rapido. Therefore, the Transport Department has taken action against it and ordered a fixed rate and implemented it. However, since fares are not being charged as per the rules, from September 23, cab drivers of Ola, Uber, and Rapido will be charged passenger fares as per government rules.
Drivers of app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber are paid INR 8 to 9 per km. This includes other transportation expenses, which results in huge financial losses for the drivers. Due to this, app-based taxi drivers have gone on strike, protested, and corresponded with the government. Also, app-based taxi service companies were looting passengers. To prevent this loot, the Transport Department has limited the increased prices by companies like Ola, Uber, Rapido.
The rates fixed by the RTO department for rickshaws and cabs will be applicable to the aggregator. The fare for taxis will be INR 20.66 per km and for air-conditioned taxis INR 22.72 per km. Strict action will be taken by the Transport Department if the new fare is not followed. Also, Ola, Uber, and Rapido companies have been made mandatory to pay at least 80 percent of the fare collected from each vehicle ride to the drivers.
The state transport department has registered cases against bike taxi companies. It is giving temporary licenses for e-bike taxis to those companies. They are using white number plates and petrol-powered bikes. Therefore, once again the rules are being flouted by the aggregator company. The Indian Gig Workers Forum expressed the view that the government should blacklist all three companies that have been booked for bike taxi licenses.
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App-based cab drivers will now charge fares using a website called "Only Meter". After passengers book a cab through Ola, Uber or other apps, the fare will be charged from the "Only Meter" website, instead of the fare displayed on that app. By entering the km shown on the app on the "Only Meter" website, the total travel cost will be included.