Maharashtra state government has decided to implement 'Maharashra Taxi Rules, 2016' to Ola, Uber, others.
The Maharashtra state government has decided to implement 'Maharashtra Taxi Rules 2016' to app-based taxi services like Ola, Uber, and others, according to a report in Lokmat. Under the rules, the state government would have the power to decide the minimum and maximum fares that these cab aggregators can charge.
The development comes at a time when Ola and Uber drivers recently concluded a strike in New Delhi demanding for higher minimum fares, saying that at current levels driving for them was unviable.
According to the Maharashtra Taxi Rules 2016, "no person shall act as an aggregator unless he holds a license issued under these rules." This means, the person (entity) would have to hold a license under these rules, which can only be granted to a firm registered under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932 (9 of 1932) or a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013.
The report said, "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."
According to the Maharashtra City Taxi Rules, 2016, "the rules shall be applicable in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and may be extended to such other areas as notified by the government from time to time."
While the report said that the fares may be decided by the state, the actual rates or a range was not specified.
The government has been looking to create a level playing field for city taxis and auto rickshaws plying on the roads, who have repeatedly gone to the government complaining about app-based taxi services eating into their market with lower fares.
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