In a move that will bring some cheer to users of ride-share services, the State government is likely to extend the 15-day deadline given to taxi aggregators Ola and Uber as it waits for inputs from the Union government on how these services can be legalised.
Transport Commissioner M.K. Aiyappa confirmed that a legal opinion was being sought, but remained non-committal on whether the time-period given to the companies would be extended. “If the legal opinion is received in the next five days, we can take action, else we will see what action can be taken closer to the deadline,” he said. Share services, operated under UberPOOL and Ola Share brands by these operators, had come under the scanner at the end of last month with the Transport Department asking the aggregators to stop share rides as they were in violation of permit conditions.
Mr. Aiyappa had initially given a three-day window for the operators to cease ride-share services, which was later extended to 15 days after the companies had given a representation to the department asking them to introduce rules that would allow share rides to be operated legally.
Clarification sought
Based on the representation, the State government has now sought clarification from the Centre on whether the contract carriage permit rules could be modified to allow these services.
“We expect to hear from the Union government soon and we can then act on introducing these services legally. This matter has legal implications and we are waiting for clarification on a few questions we had on the same,” a senior government official said.
Crackdown unlikely
What it means for thousands of users, who regularly use ride-share services, is that when the 15-day deadline expires on Friday, a crackdown and stopping of services is highly unlikely. Many users had come out in support of ride-share services stating that they were cheaper and more beneficial to the environment.
“I hope this issue is resolved without stopping these services. Ride-sharing is a move in the right direction for a city that is choked with traffic every day,” said Arpita K.V., a regular user.
The department had also spoken out earlier in favour of ride-share services and said that they were willing to look at allowing them to ply legally.
