Mumbai: The State government on Saturday announced its decision to regulate web-based taxi services to ensure affordable travel for commuters. Transport Minister Diwakar Raote told reporters here that the Maharashtra City Taxi Regulations 2017 will be implemented. Prominent web-based operators in the city include Ola and Uber.
“There were complaints that taxi fares were charged according to the demand by commuters and the supply of the taxis available. Due to this, during peak hours, taxi fares were exorbitant,” Mr. Raote said. “Fares of web-based taxi services will be regularised. Apart from GPS/GPRS system in the vehicle and with the driver, there will be a display of the route and fare to be recovered for the same. This move will help to bring transparency in the tariffs.”
He said as per the new regulation, the service provider will have to register in the city where he wishes to operate. “These taxi services will have separate permits and will be air conditioned. They will run on clean fuel. The black-and-yellow taxis can also upgrade to airconditioning and register as an app-based service.”
Mr. Raote added, “However, they [black-and-yellow taxis] will not be allowed to shift back to the meter system. It is mandatory to give commuters a bill. The government will formulate the maximum and minimum fare. Fares will be different for small, medium luxury and large taxis.”
