Regulating cabbies: Karnataka Govt to crack whip

Bengaluru: The word has been bandied about often, but no one is sure exactly what it means. To make it specific and to curb malpractices arising out of issues like safety, over-charging and so on, the transport department had sent a proposal to the government a few months ago to streamline the functioning of the app-based cab aggregators.

The deadline for objections to the proposal ended on Wednesday and it is evident that the proposal to regulate the app-based cab operators has not gone down well with them.

According to a source from the transport department, the government is expected to give its nod to the notification in  a few months.  

Due to a certain ambiguity in the present law, the transport department has been unable to take action against the app-based aggregators as far as overcharging and safety issues are concerned.

The approval of the new laws from the state government will make regulation of these cab operators easier. Transport commissioner Ramegowda says, “On the basis of the guidelines from the centre we have formulated a few rules which have been sent to the state government for their approval. In a matter of a few weeks, the state government should approve it.”

On the objections received, he said, “Most of those who objected were not happy with the news that a single cab cannot have multiple taxi aggregators. Also they do not want to bid by the maximum fare rates decided by the transport department.”

The new proposal clearly defines that an ‘Operator’ means an aggregator or individual or service provider or web-based provider or solicitor or canvasser or facilitator or a company owning a permit-holder motor cab either owned or leased over to a person who is a  part of web GPS/GPRS control system.

This could include any individual or company operating or intend to operate vehicles through agents or subscribers or suppliers or vendors, or who acts as a booking agent through the internet or mobile application, to enable customers to track and book city taxis.

Further, it defines ‘Aggregator’ as a digital intermediary, a person, or an individual, or a company that is involved in enrolling or pooling of the motor cabs which are leased over to them and covered by a city taxi permit for operation under the scheme.

In fact, violation of any norm or practice of unfair means to boost trade might lead to suspension of licenses for the cab operators, reveals a source from the transport department.

As far as safety is concerned, apart from GPS, the emergency panic button in the taxis will be mandatory. All cabs will have to be fitted with a digital meter along with a printout facility.