In a mixed bag for Ola-Uber users, the Maharashtra state government has capped the fares of app-based cabs at three times the fare of kaali-peeli taxis.
At present, the fare of black-and-yellow taxis is fixed at Rs 14.84/km, so aggregator cab fare cannot surge over Rs 44.52/km even on days of very high demand. The usual fares of the aggregator cabs are much lower than that of Kaali-peelis.
A government resolution issued on Monday also said that a minimum Re 1-Rs 2 fare hike can be allowed for autorickshaws and taxis subject to approval from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA).
The GR is in line with most of the recommendations of the B C Khatua committee, which was set up by the previous BJP-Shiv Sena government to look into surge pricing by aggregators following demands from taxi unions and passengers.
However, the government said it would not take any coercive steps against aggregator cab drivers till April 6, when Bombay high court is scheduled to hear a plea by aggregators against the City Taxi Scheme introduced by the previous government.
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