End cab aggregators, demands Mumbai's traditional taxis

Under the aegis of Mumbai Taximen's Union, they fear that surge pricing will give an upper hand to the aggregators to quickly attract passengers

Operations of the traditional black and yellow (‘kali pili’) taxis have welcomed the draft Maharashtra City Taxi Rules but pleaded that the loophole for surge pricing by cab aggregator services be stopped.
 
Under the aegis of Mumbai Taximen's Union (MTU), they fear that surge pricing will give an upper hand to the aggregators to quickly attract passengers.
 
In its response to the draft rules issued recently released by the state transport department, MTU, on behalf of 25,000 operators, has suggested the licensing authority prescribe a single fare, not the proposed minimum and maximum, for any type of vehicle.
 

 

MTU general secretary A L Quadros alleged multinational companies wanted to finish the taxi trade and eliminate competition from the market. ''The Ola and Uber aggregators have given a death blow to the taxi trade by offering low fares to passengers during lean hours and four to five times more during peak hours. The surge pricing is illegal. Taxi drivers cannot overcharge, since they ply their taxis on fares approved by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA). The loss incurred by taxi operators due to illegal operation of tourist taxis should be compensated by the government,'' he said.

 
He noted the soliciting through aggregators of passengers for being carried in tourist cars without obtaining any agent licence as mandated under Rule 121 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
 
Holders of permits granted under section 74 of the Motor Vehicles Act have to charge fares as in a schedule approved by MMRTA. On the other hand, tourist taxi operators are free to charge any fare.
 
MTU says all taxis being operated via aggregators should be fitted with digital meters and aggregators should not be permitted to register 1,400cc vehicles. Also, aggregators should make their own parking arrangements, not encroach on local taxi stands. Operation of tourist taxis via aggregators must be stopped.MTU has also said only compressed natural gas should be used as fuel.