Government petitions Bombay High Court for regulation of app based cabs for orderly devpt

The state government in an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court has said that there is a need to provide commuters with various options for safer, reliable and reasonably priced better quality taxi service, but the services offered by app based cabs like Uber and Ola need to be regulated to provide for orderly development.

The affidavit filed by joint transport secretary, Vidhyadhar Malegaonkar, through advocate Uma Palsule Desai states that a draft city taxi scheme was published on the transport department website, and accordingly suggestions and objections were called from different stake holders. It has been found that there is significant divergence in the views of stake holders and a need to reconcile them.

The reply was filed in response to a direction given by the court asking the government to clear its stand with regards to plying of Uber and Ola cabs with tourist permits in the city.

Association of radio taxis, which include cabs like Meru, Mega and Tabcabs, moved the court seeking a complete ban on website and app-based cab companies like Ola and Uber.

The petition's contention is that these cabs are plying with tourist permits and not on electronic meters, unlike other taxis in the state, and hence there is no regulation on the fare prices. It is also in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.