In a recent development, the App-based cab and rickshaw services in the country’s largest city, Mumbai have been told to follow the same fare system as the city’s traditional black-and-yellow taxis.
Mumbai Ola Uber Fares to Match Kaali-Peeli Taxis
They are planning to apply this rule until the government fixes separate rates for aggregator platforms, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) noted.
This order will be implemented in three major companies including Ola, Uber and Rapido.
Moving ahead, they have asked these firms to update their mobile applications with the fare structure of kaali-peeli taxis by 5 pm on 18 September.
The existing fare of black-and- yellow taxis is Rs 20.66 per km for non-AC vehicles and Rs 22.72 per km for AC vehicles, said the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) in a letter dated September 16.
Further adding that the three firms should implement it as base fare until the new rates for app-based taxis and auto rickshaws are finalised.
The base fare can be discounted by 25 percent when the demand is low, while a 1.5 times surge is allowed during a high-demand period, said Bharat Kalaskar, secretary of MMRTA
who also holds additional charge as additional transport commissioner of Maharashtra.
Further, Kalaskar said, “We had convened a meeting of them (aggregators) and they have agreed to implement it. Representatives of app-based drivers’ unions were also present.”
Besides this, the drivers will get 80 percent share of the fare as directed by the MMRTA in the letter.
An Anticipated Fare Hike For Passengers
It appears that the transport authority took the decision under pressure from the unions of drivers of app-based taxis and auto rickshaws, who threatened an agitation if the government failed to give them a fare hike according to the sources.
Under this new system, passengers will have to pay at least Rs 5 extra per kilometer.
When it comes to the app-based aggregators, they offer rides with a base fare of Rs 15-16 for smaller cabs.
In response to this, Bhartiya Gig Kamgar Manch, an union of gig workers including drivers of app-based cabs and autos, organised a meeting in Mumbai.
In this regard, a group of drivers also went to the Transport Commissioner’s office at Flora Fountain to protest against the government’s decision to give licences to motorbike taxis.
While showing their distrust, the cabbies put up placards with “Ola Uber and Rapido Mantralay” written on them on the boards at the Transport Commissioner’s office, and shouted slogans “Tesla Mantri haay haay” against Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, who recently purchased a Tesla for his personal use.
They have also threatened another, more intense agitation on September 30 if the government failed to hike the fare of app- based taxis and give licences to bike taxis.
