While the revised tariff structure for taxis, which came into effect in January, prohibits cab companies from charging on the basis of time, the aggregators haven’t implemented it and continue to impose an average of Rs 1 per minute.
Transport department officials said they have issued notices under Rule 11 (a) of the Aggregators Rules 2016 and sought an explanation from the companies for violating the Karnataka on Demand Transportation Technology Rules 2016.
“Licence holders have to collect hire charges from passengers as per fares fixed by the government. But companies are violating the rules,” said a statement, adding, “Appropriate action will be initiated against the errant cabs”. A state government notification dated March 3 stated: “No fare shall be collected on the basis of time...Only fares which will be notified by the government on the basis of km travelling alone shall be levied to the commuters”.
When contacted, Ola in a statement said: ""We have received communication from the state transport department of Karnataka and are studying the contents of the same. We will shortly share the company's response with the authority". Uber was unavailable for comment. The department had fixed minimum and maximum fares by classifying cabs into four categories. For the first 4km, the minimum fare was fixed at Rs 80 for Class A (luxury) taxis, Rs 68 for Class B, Rs 52 for Class C and Rs 44 for Class D (small) vehicles.