Bring app taxi fares under govt ambit: Unions

Though the state government has framed rules and regulations for app-based taxis, it has not made any provisions for charging fare. The rates of app-based taxis have become a bone of contention, as there is no government control as in the case of kali peeli, Meru and TapCab taxis. Taxi unions have demanded that the state should not leave the app operators to decide fares, but bring them under the government’s ambit like other cabs.

A draft amendment of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which sets rules and regulations for app-based taxis, has been approved by the government. However, when in comes to fares, the draft states vaguely, “The licensing authority shall prescribe the minimum and maximum limit for rates of fare, with respect to vehicles operating under permits granted under these rules, which will be decided as per type of vehicle; provided that no such limits may be prescribed for vehicles with engine capacity of 2,000cc or more.”

The draft also mentioned other details like setting up an office for app-based taxis, the drivers’ code of conduct, registration with the state transport department and conditions for giving permits.

Unions of black-and-yellow taxis have objected to the vague section on fares. They will soon submit a few demands to the government regarding the app-based cabs. “The government should fix the fares. Also, the app-based cabs demand surcharge during peak hours, which is not permitted as per the law. We do not take any surcharge from passengers so why should they be allowed to ” Shashank Rao, leader of Mumbai Auto Rickshaw and Taximen’s Union, said. Mr Rao is going to submit a charter of demands to the government on the draft.

Mumbai Taximen Union chief A.L. Quadros, however, said that the draft Act is enough to control the app-based cabs.