Looks like Delhi Government is not ready to budge when it comes to licence applications of cab aggregator apps like Uber, Ola and TaxiForSure. They have once again rejected applications from all three service providers that were filed under the modified radio taxi scheme introduced earlier this year. Applications from all 3 providers were earlier rejected in Jan of this year due to gaps in their applications.
The rejection of application came about for not complying with the ban order that was imposed on them. A top Delhi Govt official told PTI, “We have continuously been asking Uber, Ola Cabs and TaxiForSure to give a affidavit since March this year, stating that they are complying ban order imposed on them in December last year, but they did not do the same. We have today rejected their applications for licence”
The ban on all cab aggregators was ordered by Delhi Government after one of the Uber drivers was accused of raping a women passenger when she was traveling in hired Uber cab. Interestingly, even though this ban was implemented, none of the cab aggregator apps had stopped their operations in the national capital. Uber, Ola as well as TaxiForSure have all be offering services un-hindered.
What’s more, another similar incident occurred with Uber yet again just few days back, where a Uber driver allegedly tried to kiss a passenger after she had alighted at her destination from hired Uber car. The Uber driver, identified as Vinod, was arrested yesterday.
With another incidence happening, Uber is under tremendous pressure to continue their operations in Delhi. However, their cabs have not stopped plying the road even after two incidents as well as rejection of applications. Even at the time of writing this, we could hire a Uber cab in Delhi.
The same is the case with Ola as well as TaxiForSure, they are all operating without any issues.
Uber Delhi General Manager Gagan Bhatia said in a statement, “While the rejection of our application for a licence under the amended Radio Taxi scheme is unfortunate, we look forward to file a fresh application under a new set of guidelines that are due to be issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act”
Aam Aadmi Party led Delhi Government has clearly said that they will not consider applications for license from any app-based taxi operators unless they comply with existing ban imposed on them.
As per new radio taxi cab rules that are expected to be released shortly, all taxi providers will need to maintain a separate call centre and will need to provide the details to transport department. While it may be easy for local service providers like Ola and TaxiForSure to have a separate call center, foreign operators like Uber have a completely different structure to its business. They do not even have local registered offices and everything is either done through mobile app or email support.
It will be interesting to see how and when these operators comply with the existing ban. We are watching the events closely and will update you as soon as we have more!
[Header Image: Shutterstock.com]
Regulation is needed for everyone. we should start making laws only after an unfortunate incident that is wrong.Thank you sharing the information.