Guidelines to prevent black-and-yellow taxis that migrate to app-based taxi networks from shifting back to normal meter taxis
The state government has unveiled new rules for city taxis plying in Maharashtra which make it mandatory for all app-based aggregators to have safety features like 24X7 control rooms and engines operating on clean fuels like petrol and CNG.
The rules announced on Saturday by state transport minister Diwakar Raote, stipulate that black and yellow taxis will be able to migrate to app-based taxi networks, but will not be able to shift back to plying as normal meter taxis depending on peak hours.
Interestingly, the new design for these app-based aggregators like Uber and Ola will make the cabs shift to a colour code where a shade of saffron is to be used on a large part of the vehicle. Raote is a senior leader of the Shiv Sena, which is known for the liberal use of saffron in its flag and imagery.
However, the new rules, which try to enforce additional layers of security for passengers, have skirted the issue of fare fixation and surge pricing as a four-member committee under retired IAS officer BC Khatua is looking into laying down the maximum and minimum fares.
Raote said the taxis must get separate permits as app-based taxis, must install GPS/GPRS systems, and display screens which specify the distance travelled, route and fare charged. The aggregators will have to set up 24X7 control rooms, and the vehicles will need to communicate with it while they are plying passengers. Moreover, they will also need to install a panic button for passengers.
"These taxis need to be air-conditioned and registered only in the cities where these aggregators want to ply them," said Raote, adding that vehicles with necessary permits can move throughout the state or even outside it. Different passenger tariffs will be charged for small, medium and large taxis.
The taxis will also have to give paper or electronic receipts to passengers and Raote said the government will fix the lower and upper fare bands with fares varying in this range based on the principle of demand and supply.
Satish Sahasrabudhe, additional transport commissioner, noted that the new rules meant that these taxis would not be able to ply using diesel.
The state transport department will allow high-end and large cars to be registered under the app-based taxi scheme. An aggregator must have at least 30 per cent vehicles with a capacity of 1,400 CC and above which will be charged permit fees of Rs 2.61 lakh as against Rs 25,000 for small cabs. These large vehicles can be used for people going out of station or abroad with luggage.
Raote said that the draft rules, which had been put into the public domain, had seen 8,000 suggestions and objections come in.
Al Quadros, president of Mumbai Taximens Union, welcomed the state government's announcement. He, however, added that a section of taxi drivers from the minority community could oppose the new colour scheme as it involves the use of saffron.
Mumbai has around 45,000 black and yellow taxis while the number of cabs registered with aggregators is 30,000.
While the Bombay High Court has set aside a Maharashtra government order which makes knowledge of Marathi compulsory for applicants seeking auto-rickshaw permits, transport minister Diwakar Raote said they "would not compromise on the use of Marathi". Raote added that they would study the order and make necessary amendments to the rules.
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