New Delhi:
Remember the feeling of desperation when you’d try to hail a taxi in the pouring rain or on a street corner in the middle of the night. Expecting a car to arrive in a few minutes, and poof, the driver cancelled your ride!
Gone are those days when you get cancelled on by four different drivers. After months of scandals and upheaval, a regulatory policy is being passed by the Delhi Government that has reportedly proposed to fine cab aggregators like Ola and Uber at least Rupees 25,000 for refusing trips. It also states that they will have to file a police complaint for molestation or misconduct cases reported by the passengers. A fine of Rupees 1 Lakh will be imposed if they fail to do so.
According to a report by The Times of India, a panel headed by PWD minister S Jain is evaluating a new draft policy called the Licencing and Regulation of App-based Aggregators Rules, 2017 and City Taxi Scheme, 2017. The draft if approved will not only put into place a system that would cap surge pricing by services such as Ola and Uber and reduce the cases wherein drivers have refused the ride at the last minute but also ensure adequate safety measures for commuters.
If this policy comes into motion, cab aggregators will have to make some significant adjustments for customer satisfaction and services. Commuters have earlier reported of encountering major problems with Ola and Uber. Commuter woes include fare surge, abrupt ride cancellation, driver taking longer routes and even molestation cases
In cities where a large number of people are dependent on app-based cab aggregators, this step will be welcomed by all.
