Bengaluru: The ongoing tug-of-war between the State Transport Department and web-based aggregators over continuing cab services is expected to end soon with the transport department indicating that talks are at an advanced stage.
Transport Commissioner Ramegowda told Deccan Chronicle that all non-recognised web-based aggregators are in touch with the department to secure recognition to run their services across the city and state.
“We have made it clear to them that they have to adhere to our rules and set up call centres and fix digital meters in the taxis. The issue is expected to be resolved soon,” he said.
The department banned the services of eight aggregators, including Uber, following an alleged sexual assault of a woman passenger by a Uber cab driver in New Delhi on December 8.
A transport department official said that the final decision on allowing the eight cab aggregators will be taken based on the decisions taken in other states.
“These aggregators are banned in New Delhi, Maharastra etc. We are waiting for a decision in those states. As Bengaluru is the most vibrant market for the aggregators, we are working on resolving the deadlock,” he said.
“The department cannot relax its guidelines for the sake of aggregators. Call centres, digital meters etc are necessary to keep the passenger informed about the charge, distance, route etc. Rules cannot be bent for the sake of few,” he said.
But in this tussle, it is the passengers who are paying the price. They feel that in the absence of aggregators, cab service providers are making huge profits. Their fares were exorbitantly high on the night of New Year’s Eve, they complained.
Ms Rajashri Shenoy, a software professional, said that on December 31 night, she was forced to depend on a local service provider. “These cabs are not fitted with any technology and are more dangerous than the aggregators.
Need of the hour is to make the market more competitive with all the security and safety measures in place, to ensure an affordable and safe service for all,” she said.
