BENGALURU: Karnataka’s transport department has moved against major taxi aggregators over allegations that the ride hailing platforms are charging passengers fares beyond the rates fixed by the state government, officials said on Thursday.
The department has issued show cause notices to the four aggregators following complaints from taxi drivers’ and operators’ associations. “The notices have been issued based on complaints regarding alleged violations of the government notified fare structure. The Bengaluru International Airport Taxi Owners and Drivers Welfare Association was among the groups calling for action. He alleged that aggregators including Ola, Uber and Rapido were not ensuring that drivers received earnings in accordance with the government prescribed fare system. As of Thursday, no response had been received from the aggregators.
The complaints allege that platforms have deviated from the fare structure notified by the government on February 3, 2024, including by using travel time and other variables while determining charges. Additional transport commissioner B P Uma Shankar said the department had acted on the complaints and required the companies to comply with the prescribed fares and the Karnataka On Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016. The aggregators have been directed to comply with the prescribed fares and the provisions of the Karnataka On Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016,” Uma Shankar said. The complaints were discussed at a transport department meeting on August 4, where representatives of driver organisations sought enforcement of the government’s fare structure. Karnataka drivers federation state president Narayanaswamy had also raised the issue in a representation to the government on March 16.
Officials said the notices are part of the regulatory process and that further action would be considered after the companies submit their responses. The ministry said options such as “Advance Tip” and messages implying that a tip could lead to quicker ride confirmation may be inconsistent with the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
