BENGALURU: App-based cabs in the city are fast falling out of favour with commuters.With cab aggregators like Ola and Uber increasingly assigning trips to drivers during an ongoing one, commuters are left waiting for a ride.
“Entry of app-based taxis was a relief from crowded BMTC buses and errant auto drivers. But now cab drivers are also behaving like errant auto drivers as they refuse the ride even after we manage to get a cab after repeated efforts,” said K Sunita, a regular cab user in Koramangala. She said only sharing services like Ola share and Uber Pool services are available during peak hours. “There are also very few cabs available when it rains as drivers often cite traffic as an excuse,” she said.
Many drivers associated with Ola and Uber said they are forced to take a second trip before a ride is completed. “Recently, I was taking a passenger from Shivaji Nagar to Shanthi Nagar. I was asked to pick up a commuter from Shivaji Nagar when I was at Brigade Road. How is it possible to pick up a passenger before dropping the one in the vehicle during peak hour?” asked an Ola driver.
Meanwhile, reduced incentives have forced many drivers to quit their jobs while some others turn on their app only during non-peak hours and weekends.
Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola, TaxiforSure and Uber Drivers’ and Owners’ Association, said, “Nearly 9,000 cabs were seized by private financiers as drivers were unable to pay dues because of lack of incentives from cab aggregators. Many drivers who were earlier part of Ola and Uber have quit.”
He said a section of drivers are eagerly waiting for the app-based service announced by former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and backed by the association. “We are yet to finalise the name of the app. It is expected to be launched by June. Cab aggregators like Uber and Ola will face further shortage of drivers once our app is launched,” said Pasha.
Commuters cough up extra for rides
There are complaints of cab services charging above the government-mandated D19.5 per km rate. K Prakash, a regular commuter between Sanjaynagar and Queen’s Road, said, “On Thursday, UberGo charged D186 for 8.48km even though the government fixed fare is D165.” A senior transport department official said they will take action based on complaints. Commuters also have to shell out additional charges like service tax, Swachh Bharat cess, Krishi Kalyan cess and charges per minute. A spokesperson of a cab aggregator said, “There is no decline in the number of cabs but the shortage is mainly due to the increasing demand, especially during peak hours. Our fares are within the government prescribed maximum fares. We will refund the excess amount if any rider is overcharged.” He said they are assigning trips to drivers during an ongoing one to reduce waiting time for riders and cut down on time that drivers spend idling. We have provided a facility of ‘heat map’ for drivers on app. It will show the areas where there is a huge demand. So most drivers wait for rides in those areas as they will get more trips and incentives. This may cause shortage of cabs in other areas.”
THE RULEBOOK
In 2016, Karnataka became the first state in the country to regulate cab aggregators by introducing the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregator Rules. Uber, Ola and Utoo procured licences under this rule.
Cab aggregators can’t impose surge pricing
Fares should not go above govt-fixed charge (D19.5 per km for AC taxi, D14.50 per km for non-AC taxi)
Dedicated call centre facility
Install GPS and panic buttons in all cabs
Taxi signs on top of vehicle
Drivers should be residents of Karnataka for at least two years and should not work more than eight hours a day
Where are customer care centres?
Cab aggregators are yet to set up customer care centres for registering complaints. Uber argues that they have an online mechanism to register commuter grievances. Ola says they have a 24X7 call centre number. Many commuters say customer care centres should be mandatory for all cabs. “It’s better to call a customer executive than registering a complaint through an app. An authorised person will be able to guide in an efficient way,” said K Swathy, a regular commuter. Transport department
officials, however, said they are unable to enforce the Karnataka On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules 2016 as the case is pending before the court.