Consider stand on app-based cabs, think of commuters’ convenience: HC to govt

Ola, Uber has brought in more foreign investments in the country, Bench has been told

Amidst the Maharashtra government’s continuous efforts to bring in arbitrary rules to stop plying of appbased cabs, Bombay High Court has come to their rescue. The HC on Friday was seen batting for app-based cabs like Ola and Uber as it asked the government to ‘rethink’ over its stand on the vehicles.

A Division Bench of Justice Rajendra Savant and Justice Sadhana Jadhav heard a bunch of petitions filed by Uber India and some drivers of the Ola and Uber services.

The app-based cabs had challenged the proposed act of the government that proposes to ban their vehicles from plying inside the city. The new rules – Maharashtra City Taxi Rules, 2017 have a provision that compels such vehicles to obtain local licence like the kaali-peeli taxis but after paying 10 times more than them.

Justice Jadhav said, “Looking at customers’ convenience, private aggregators are required. Also, the fact that these kaalipeeli taxis have not being ferrying commuters for short distances but these app-based cabs ferry them even at short distances.”

The Bench was also informed that Ola and Uber has brought in more foreign investments in the country. The Bench said, “If there is a rise in foreign investments then why are you opposing it? We would suggest you rethink this.”

Meanwhile, the government informed the Bench that it has constituted a committee that would be overseeing the fare structure of these app-based cabs and would submit its report soon.

Posting the matter for further hearing in August, the Bench has asked the government to rethink its stand and file an affidavit on the next hearing.