The hasty move to ban app-based cab services after another terrible rape in Delhi seems to be a knee-jerk reaction, with the government under pressure to take swift action. But bans are no answer, and as transport minister Nitin Gadkari pointed out, if a rail accident happens, will the trains be stopped? Our public transport systems are so weak and shoddy, and cab availability in our cities so poor, that private services are vital to meet citizens’ varied commuting needs. If fewer cabs become available following the ban, women who need to travel will be even more unsafe than before.
The reason why our cities have been flooded with radio, web and app-based taxis of late is because traditional taxi services have been inadequate and often unavailable. Licensed taxi drivers were found to commit serious crimes in the past; but the solution was not to take the entire fleet off the roads. What we need is strict regulation of all types of cabs in a fair and reasonable way, for both service provider and user, and also drivers, the vast majority of whom are not criminals/rapists. The inadequacy of the verification process was starkly shown up and talk about creating a nationwide computerised database of criminals is cruelly exposed. Immediate action is needed to ensure that all cabs have a GPS/GPRS system and an emergency alarm for users. Taxi firms must be held liable for drivers’ behaviour. No city these days can do without reliable taxi services, but all these must be properly regulated.
