Bengaluru traffic police fine cab drivers without uniforms

Bengaluru: On one hand, the Transport Department hides behind the High Court stay on controlling the cab aggregators, while on the other, the Bengaluru Traffic Police catch hold of cab drivers not wearing the prescribed uniform, which is in fact the responsibility of the Transport Department.

“We are ensuring that all cab drivers adhere to the rules strictly. Yellow licence plate cabs mostly have four violations. Drivers flouting uniform rules, parking in the wrong place and sleeping, using mobile phones while driving and shrill, high-decibel horns,” said Mr R. Hithendra, Additional Commissioner of Traffic.

He said the drivers wear all-white or any dress the company specifies. “Many have been caught wearing shorts while driving. Each day, there are tonnes of dress code violations. The fine is Rs 100," he said.

Mr Radakrishna Holla, president, Bengaluru Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association, said, “It is a very good move on the part of the BTP. They are enforcing the government rules. As per the Karnataka City Taxi Scheme Guidelines, drivers have to wear a white cap with black stripes, white half-shirt and white pants, black belt and shoes and white socks. This is for licensees under Contract Carriage Act, like Ola and Uber."

An Ola spokesperson confirmed that their drivers were required to follow an all-white dress code.

It appears that the police are taking the Transport Department's rules more seriously than the department itself. After their cab aggregator policies were challenged in the High Court by Uber, the stay order has become the permanent excuse to not crack down on violations.