Karnataka Unveils New Guidelines For Cab Aggregators

Just a few days back, since Karnataka had sought to put an end to the collection of surge-price from customers by cab hailing aggregators such as Uber and Ola, it has now issued new guidelines to level the playfield for regular taxi operators and cab aggregators.

According to a digital media, the guidelines enlisted ‘Karnataka On Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016’ lists rules that online cab aggregators will need to follow if the draft comes into effect 30 days from the date of issue (February 9, 2016).

HG Kumar, the Additional Commissioner for Transport and Secretary of the State Transport Authority (STA) of Karnataka, said, “These rules have been drafted on the basis of the guidelines released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in October 2015 which directed the state transport authorities to either follow the one it issued or draft their own. The government seeks suggestions and counter comments from the public 30 days from the publication of the rules, and will consider those before issuing the final guidelines.”

According To the Defined Guidelines:

The applicant should have a minimum of either 100 taxis owned or in agreement with individual taxi permit holders
The applicant has to have a control room facility (no further details)
The vehicle should have a display board inside the taxi with the driver’s info
The vehicle should also be fitted with a ‘tamper proof electronic digital fare meter’ which is capable of generating a printed receipt to be given to passengers if fare cannot be informed through SMS or email
It should have a yellow coloured display board with the word “Taxi” visible from both the front and the rear and can be illuminated at night
Driver should be a resident of Karnataka for a minimum of 5 years
He should have a working knowledge of Kannada and any other language, preferably English
The fare cannot be higher than the one fixed by Government from time to time
A passenger can only be charged from their pick up point of destination
Drivers have to be trained at least once in a year on safe driving skills, gender sensitisation and passenger etiquette, etc. They should be allowed to work a maximum number of hours under the Motor Transport Workers Act 1961
The vehicle should have a small feedback register kept in the taxi, easily accessible to the passengers
Drivers cannot take independent or direct bookings, unless done via the obtained license
Permit holders have the liberty to operate with any other aggregator simultaneously as per their discretion
Publish the policy on taxi fare beforehand
The state transport authority, after giving the licensee an opportunity to be heard, can suspend the license for a minimum 30 days to a maximum of 6 months, if a passenger complaints of misbehaviour or misdemeanour