Ola, Uber cabs should also have meters: Taxi unions

Taxi unions say in the absence of meters the private cab aggregators will indulge in surge pricing.

Taxi unions want application-based taxi services like Ola and Uber to have electronic meters and said this suggestion needs to be added in the draft city taxi scheme. The unions have said they fear that these aggregators will continue to indulge in surge pricing, in the absence of meters.

Union leader A.L. Quadros said that if the fare is shown via the app there is a possibility that the aggregators just might sneak in surge pricing, which is likely to be capped if the draft is accepted. He said, “The point is that if the app is used, the algorithm employed by these companies will still be used and there might be variations in the fare without the commuter coming to know about it.”

The city taxi scheme, which has to get suggestions/objections, from the unions as well as taxi aggregators before November 5, is one of the most historic decisions taken for black and yellow taxis as well auto rickshaw unions, which have been demanding regulations over the fares of radio cabs. “By fixing a electronic meters, these taxis will also have to undergo normal procedurals like the checks that we undergo with the RTO and the meters will also be fixed according to the new fare.”

Union leader Shashank Rao is of the opinion that the meter is essential to makes sure that these aggregators stick to their word.