Bengaluru: No amount of scrutiny by the RTO has been able to streamline any of the app-based cab operators. Just last weekend cab operators charged thrice the base fare.
The Transport Department is now gearing up to create awareness about the Act and urging people to file complaints against cab operators for over-charging at the nearest RTO. Cab aggregators are not complying with any of the guidelines of the new Transportation Technology Aggregators’ Act, 2016 and overpricing still continues.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Ramegowda, the Transport Commissioner says, “I don’t understand why people aren’t complaining about these cab aggregators when we have made a provision in the Act. I urge all passengers to lodge complaints against overcharging cabbies. These operators are adamant about not following any guidelines. Despite repeated warnings and seizing several vehicles on a daily basis, they are shying away from implementing the norms specified in the Act. We are still considering their applications for licenses because they have hardly followed the rules of the Act. We must start a campaign to bring about awareness among commuters about the Act. It is still under consideration.”
Clarifying the concept of ‘surge pricing’, Joint Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban, Narendra Holkar says, “Everyone’s got the idea of surge pricing wrong. Cab operators can be held liable for overcharging, if they exceed the price fixed by the Transport Department. Presently, all AC cabs have a fixed minimum price of Rs 19.50.
“When an aggregator fixes its tariff at Rs. 6 as the starting price and then charges double -- he cannot be punished, as the fare is still Rs. 12. But if it exceeds the fixed price of Rs. 19.50, we can then take action against him. In this way, they lure passengers with an unusually low minimum price, but actually charge fares much higher than the amount fixed by the Transport Department. We have received complaints from many people saying they have been charged rates six to seven times higher than the normal fare.”
The Transportation Technology Aggregators’ Act 2016 came into effect from April 2, to streamline and regulate all cab aggregators. Over a month has passed, but no guidelines have been followed by cab aggregators. Interestingly, cab operators are hurriedly trying to bring about a few changes in the Act.
