New fare norms for app-based cabs soon

Bengaluru: Making it clear that their days of charging arbitrary fares are at end, the transport department held a lengthy discussion with app-based cab aggregators on Monday to regulate their fares and  introduce various other measures to ensure passenger safety.

While on the face of it their fares of Rs 7 or Rs 10 a km seem reasonable compared to the Rs 80 for the first 4 km and  Rs 19.50 for every km thereafter charged by the traditional taxi services,  the app- based cab aggregators often double or triple their fares with “surcharges” for peak hours , and additional charges for "waiting," complain commuters.

Transport officers say their hands are currently tied due to  ambiguity in the present laws, which make it difficult for them to stop the app-based cabs from overcharging passengers.  

Once the notification is issued it will make regulation of the cab operators easier, they say.  Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, transport commissioner Ramegowda said the discussions would continue on Tuesday as well.

“As soon as a decision is reached the notification will be published in the official gazette. We are hopeful that it will will ensure the safety of  passengers and we will be able to streamline the cab aggregators,” he added

Among other things, the new proposal says the cab operators must conduct monthly audit of vehicles, check validity of their drivers’ licenses, validity of  the FC, emission certificates and insurance,  and check for spare tyres, first aid box, tool box and torches, besides the road worthiness of  their vehicles.

Aware of the clock ticking,  some cab-based aggregators have reportedly already begun  instructing their drivers to fall in line with the department’s expectations.  

Said a Uber driver, “All Uber drivers have been asked to get their ID cards from the RTO and install digital meters as soon as possible.