The Delhi High Court has banned surge pricing by app-based taxi aggregators in the national capital region effective August 22 and asked them to comply with the price caps notified by the Delhi government. The court also directed a committee appointed by the Centre to draft a model scheme to govern taxi services across the country, after reviewing the Delhi government’s proposed policy in this regard.

The court’s move comes on the heels of the Centre proposing, in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill tabled in Parliament, to bring taxi aggregators under federal regulations like other taxi services, a move that could result in fare capping as well.

Karnataka had in March cracked down on surge pricing or the practice of levying a surcharge on the fare by aggregators like Ola and Uber when demand for the services is high (prices tend to fall when demand ebbs). Surge pricing and the aggregators’ practice of plying cabs sans city permits led to a backlash from conventional taxi operators and sections of the general public, forcing states like Maharashtra also to consider regulating the fare system of these cab aggregators.

Justice Manmohan said that the model scheme was aimed at removing the prevailing confusion over the norms for taxi services and having a uniform scheme for various categories of taxi services including app-based aggregators, radio taxis, etc. “There is an urgent need to have a seamless and uniform policy for taxi services in the country. This will also offer a level playing field to all taxi operators,” the judge said while passing the order.

The committee formed by the ministry of road transport and highways was also directed to include experts from various fields like the income tax department, Delhi traffic police, environment and the Central Pollution Control Board. The panel has been asked to submit final report in three months. Suggestions on decongestion techniques from the ministry of urban development and advice from NITI Aayog should also be considered while formulating the scheme, the HC stated, adding that all stakeholders would be at liberty to make a representation before the committee.

 

 

Let me have you concern about the surge charges being charged by OLA and UBER for the metro city i.e KOLKATA. Both the app based cab has been acting in such a way as if they have been vested with the power to put their hands into the pocket of customer and get what they like. The act of taking the undue advantages of the situation by this app based cab is just very much appreciable and a know money making trick.

Whenever there is a urgent requirement of cab in time of uneven climate or during any public events, the surge charged by the app based cab are very high and non-affordable. 

Like, government are coming out with various schemes to provide protection to females of our society but when a working lady, household lady or female students are in requirement of cab in a uneven situation, the price to be charged by such app based cabs vide surge charge is very high.

Thus through this petition, I would like to pray before the people of Kolkata and other out station people to raise their voice against the app based cab for their money making trick of surge charge. They should charge nominal fare as per the government rate for the ease of the people.