NEW DELHI: A Transport Ministry panel has recommended allowing up to four-time surge in fares during night and three times during peak hours of the day to ensure adequate availability of taxis.
"The committee recommends range-bound dynamic pricing to be allowed to effectively match demand and supply. It is felt that the maximum tariff may be permitted up to three times the minimum tariff," the committee report said.
The committee was constituted to review issues relating to taxi permits and propose taxi policy guidelines to promote urban mobility.
"To increase the availability of taxis during the night time, the committee recommends that maximum tariff may be allowed up to four times that of minimum tariff from 12 midnight to 5 am in morning. This would ensure adequate supply during peak hours and at night," the report uploaded on Ministry's website said.
The panel comprised representatives from Transport Commissioners from four states and representatives from Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Police, Ministry of Women and Child Development, NITI Aayog and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
"Alternatively, the aggregators may be asked to provide the minimum fare that would be charged from the customers and the State Transport Department may fix a multiplier to cap the maximum fare. This would help in meeting the peak load requirements of the taxi users," the reports said.
The panel has recommended that states should facilitate unhindered grant of permits for City Taxi and All India Tourist Permit taxis without any restrictions on numbers.
"The City Taxis may continue as street hailing taxis. However, they may also be allowed to ply on the aggregator platform, if they so desire," the report said,
To reduce delays and to embrace digital technology online grant of the permits is recommended. It is further recommended to allow online conversion of compliant personal vehicles to commercial taxis on payment of requisite charges so as to facilitate use of idle assets, it said.
The panel has identified growth in number of cars due to lack of public transport as one of the main reason for pollution.
It has suggested requirement of a uniform national guidelines which should facilitate safe, convenient and reliable transportation for citizens in cities around India, lower entry barriers to the commercial taxi operators/ aggregators and promote opportunities amongst the unemployed youth in the country.
The panel has favoured booking of taxis through mobile applications and even seat sharing with consent of the passengers.