Odd even 2: Kejriwal warns of strict action against Ola, Uber taxis
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday warned of strict action against app-based taxis, including cancellation of permits and impounding of vehicles, for charging fares more than the rates prescribed by the government.
"Strict action, including permit cancellation and impounding of vehicles, will be taken against app-based taxis which charge fares more than government-prescribed rates (sic)," Kejriwal said in a tweet on Monday.
Strict action, incl permit cancellation n impounding vehicle, to be taken against taxis which charge rates more than govt prescribed rates
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 18, 2016
The move comes after the government received some complaints against the app-based taxi service providers Ola and Uber of hiking the fares exorbitantly during rush hours.
The rates were allegedly also hiked today, the first full working day of the fortnight-long odd-even scheme when offices, schools and other institutions reopened after an extended weekend.
Transport Minister Gopal Rai made an appeal to the commuters to register their complaints at 011-42400400 against exorbitant fares charged by the app-based taxi service providers.
"If we receive complaints against arbitrariness of any app-based taxi service, we will impound their vehicles," Rai said. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal pooled in Rai's car to reach his office at Delhi Secretariat.
Heavy traffic was witnessed at ITO and near Akshardham in the morning hours on the first working day after the road-rationing scheme was rolled out on April 15.
"Today is the real test of odd-even. Like the first phase of the scheme, we all will have to make its second phase a success," Rai said.
Transport department on Monday made public the fares for all types of taxi services according to which Rs 12.50 per km for Economy Radio Taxis, Rs 14 per km and Rs 16 per km for non-AC & AC Black & Yellow Top taxis respectively will be charged.
The notified fare of Radio Taxi cabs (distinguished by an LCD board on roof top displaying "Radio Taxi") is Rs 23 per km. Additional night charges (25% of the fare) are applicable between 11 pm and 5 am.
Meanwhile, after warning of stern action by Delhi CM, app-based taxi service providers, Ola and Uber on Monday decided to temporarily do away with peak pricing policy.
"We've temporarily pulled out peak pricing in Delhi, in support of Govt's #OddEven initiative. Travel at 1x fares & make #OddEven a success (sic)," Ola said in a tweet.
We've temporarily pulled out Peak Pricing in Delhi, in support of Govt's #OddEven initiative. Travel at 1x fares & make #OddEven a success
— Ola (@Olacabs) April 18, 2016
Taxi aggregator Uber has also temporarily suspended surge pricing in Delhi-NCR region, following criticism for the manifold increase in fares.
On the fourth day of odd-even scheme run by Delhi government, passengers faced difficulties in booking cabs as the platform showed fares to be as high as 5 times than the normal rate.
The US-based firm said it regularly does surge pricing when demand outstrips supply.
"However, given the threat of the Delhi government to cancel permits and impound vehicles of our driver partners, we are temporarily suspending surge in Delhi with immediate effect. We hope to work with the government to keep Delhi moving, especially during this time when the citizens need us the most," Uber India General Manager North Gagan Bhatia said.
Surge pricing is a technique used by Uber and Ola to raise fares to provide drivers the incentive of keeping their cab running while also making it available for the user irrespective of the demand.
