Hi, It's been a long time since the last update. There is a reason. During the last update, I had shared news about Karnataka's Govt. plans to end Surge pricing. The Karnataka On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016 is one of the most important steps that Govt. has taken to curb the Surge Pricing. One of the articles on Deccan Herald reads- The Government has been against surge-pricing and wants the fare collected to be as per the digital meter reading and nothing more. Under existing rules for city taxis, the rate per km could go up to Rs. 19.50 for air-conditioned cars. Read More- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/534151/rules-regulate-taxis-surge-pricing.html However, according to a digital media, the guidelines enlisted ‘Karnataka On Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016’ lists rules that online cab aggregators will need to follow if the draft comes into effect 30 days from the date of issue (February 9, 2016). HG Kumar, the Additional Commissioner for Transport and Secretary of the State Transport Authority (STA) of Karnataka, said, “These rules have been drafted on the basis of the guidelines released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in October 2015 which directed the state transport authorities to either follow the one it issued or draft their own. The government seeks suggestions and counter comments from the public 30 days from the publication of the rules, and will consider those before issuing the final guidelines.” According To the Defined Guidelines: •The applicant should have a minimum of either 100 taxis owned or in agreement with individual taxi permit holders •The applicant has to have a control room facility (no further details) •The vehicle should have a display board inside the taxi with the driver’s info •The vehicle should also be fitted with a ‘tamper proof electronic digital fare meter’ which is capable of generating a printed receipt to be given to passengers if fare cannot be informed through SMS or email •It should have a yellow coloured display board with the word “Taxi” visible from both the front and the rear and can be illuminated at night •Driver should be a resident of Karnataka for a minimum of 5 years •He should have a working knowledge of Kannada and any other language, preferably English •The fare cannot be higher than the one fixed by Government from time to time •A passenger can only be charged from their pick up point of destination •Drivers have to be trained at least once in a year on safe driving skills, gender sensitization and passenger etiquette, etc. They should be allowed to work a maximum number of hours under the Motor Transport Workers Act 1961 •The vehicle should have a small feedback register kept in the taxi, easily accessible to the passengers •Drivers cannot take independent or direct bookings, unless done via the obtained license •Permit holders have the liberty to operate with any other aggregator simultaneously as per their discretion •Publish the policy on taxi fare beforehand •The state transport authority, after giving the licensee an opportunity to be heard, can suspend the license for a minimum 30 days to a maximum of 6 months, if a passenger complaints of misbehavior. Your Support has will a big reason for this rule to become a law in future. Share this Petition on Social Media, Your friends and Relatives who want to regulate this System soon! Today Karnataka Govt. is doing something, tomorrow, your State govt. will if you continue supporting this cause.