В Карнатаке ввели обязательную установку цифровых таксометров для всех агрегаторных такси

Cabs face a digital meter crackdown Print this article Reduce font size Increase font size The Transport Department has made digital meter installation compulsory in taxis operated by Ola, Uber, Rapido and other companies functioning under the aggregator system. The government has revised passenger fares and luggage charges for all taxis, city taxis, motor cabs and different categories of taxis operating under aggregator companies across Karnataka, including Bengaluru. However, aggregator companies allegedly charge passengers arbitrary fares instead of following the rates fixed by the government, causing a financial burden on commuters. Following complaints about the collection of exorbitant fares, the Transport Department has directed all taxis to install digital fare meters. Regional Transport Office officials have stopped renewing the fitness certificates of taxis that do not have digital meters. Newly registered as well as existing taxis and motor cabs must collect only the fares fixed by the government under Rule 129 of the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The Commissioner has also directed taxis holding licences under the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregator Rules, 2016, to compulsorily install digital fare meters. Approximately 70,000-80,000 taxis operate within Bengaluru city. Around three lakh vehicles hold state or all-India permits. Taxis and cabs with these permits operate in Bengaluru for a day or two during weekends or at the end of the month, while they remain outside the city and state during the rest of the period. Permit confusion Although the Transport Department has ordered the installation of digital meters, it has not clarified which categories of vehicles are covered by the order. At present, vehicles operate under contract carriage, maxicab, state and all-India permits. Driver unions have questioned whether digital meters are mandatory for every taxi. A Transport Department official said digital meters must be installed according to the notified fare structure and added that no additional time had been granted for compliance. Taxi owners and driver unions have demanded six months to install the meters. They have also sought the revival of the city taxi permit system. Officials, however, said the Transport Department does not have complete details of vehicles that previously operated under the city taxi permit system. Peak-time charges Aggregator companies such as Ola, Uber and Namma Yatri have been accused of charging higher fares during peak and non-peak hours. Passengers reportedly face higher prices between 5 am and 8 am and between 8 pm and 11 pm, when traffic demand is high. While driver groups have welcomed digital meters as a possible check on arbitrary pricing, they have questioned the decision to impose the same requirement on taxis that operate occasionally. Government Taxi Fares Vehicles below ` 10 lakh: `100 minimum fare for first 4 km, then `24/km. Vehicles ` 10 lakh to ` 15 lakh: `115 minimum fare for first 4 km, then `28/km. Vehicles above ` 15 lakh: `130 minimum fare for first 4 km, then `32/km. Luggage: Up to 120 kg free; beyond that, `7 per additional 30 kg. Waiting: First 5 minutes free, thereafter `1/minute. Night surcharge: 10% extra for trips between midnight and 6 am. GALLERIES View more photos Aero India 2021: 13th edition of air show begins today Pedestrians Only! PM lays foundation stone of new Parliament building