New taxi norms favour cab aggregators?

The new taxi norms favour cab aggregators claim insutry sources. They aver that cab aggregators are allowed to charge up to three time the minimum fare during the day, and up to four times the minimum fare between mid-night and 5 am as per the new guidelines for taxi operators. The guidelines call for the minimum fare to be approved by the respective state transport departments. Drawing attention to the liberty the state transport departments will have to cap the surge, sources claim that the new norms also allow private vehicles to be used as taxis. These taxi owners have to pay a fee and get the premissions online. Sources claim that taxis with All India Tourist Permit (AITP) will be allowed to operate under the aggregators pool too. These cabs can engage with BPOs, IT companies, government departments and PSUs among others. The price curbs will cover vehicles that are less than four metres in length. Such vehicles have been categorised as an ‘economy taxi’. It is mandatory for the cabs to fit an app-based metering system, validated by an agency approved by the IT ministry, claim sources. The cabs, as per the new guidelines, are also required to display their registration number and driver’s photo prominently. An engagement with a call centre is necessary to offer distress call service. These guidelines, claim industry sources, may be submitted by the transport ministry to the Delhi High Court.