NEW DELHI: Delhi government today ordered the Transport department to take strict action against the taxis and app-based cabs, including cancellation of permits and impounding of vehicles, if they are found charging fares more than the prescribed rates.
The government also notified the prescribed fares for all types of taxi services--economy radio taxis, non-AC & AC black & yellow taxis and radio taxi cabs.
The move came after government received complaints about some taxis, including app-based taxi service providers--Ola and Uber, charging exorbitant fares from the customers during the second phase of odd-even scheme.
"If any taxi is found to be overcharging, we will take strict action in such cases including cancellation of permits and impounding of vehicles," Transport Minister Gopal Rai said.
If we receive complaints against arbitrariness of any app-based taxi service, we will impound their vehicles, he said, adding that complaints can be made on the telephone number - 011-42400400.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also warned of "strict action" against taxis, including cancellation of permits and impounding of vehicles, for charging fares more than the rates prescribed by the government.
"Strict action, incl permit cancellation n impounding vehicle, to be taken against taxis which charge rates more than govt prescribed rates(sic)," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.
Transport department today made public the fares for all types of taxi services according to which Rs 12.50 per km for Economy Radio Taxis, Rs 14 per km and Rs 16 per km for non-AC & AC Black & Yellow Top taxis respectively will be charged.
The notified fare of Radio Taxi cabs (distinguished by an LCD board on roof top displaying "Radio Taxi") is Rs 23 per km. Additional night charges (25% of the fare) are applicable between 11 PM and 5 AM.
Meanwhile, after warning of stern action by Delhi CM, app-based taxi service providers--Ola and Uber--today decided to temporarily do away with peak pricing policy.
"We've temporarily pulled out peak pricing in Delhi, in support of Govt's #OddEven initiative. Travel at 1x fares & make #OddEven a success (sic)," Ola said in a tweet.
Taxi aggregator Uber has also temporarily suspended surge pricing in Delhi-NCR region, following criticism for the manifold increase in fares.
On the fourth day of odd-even scheme run by Delhi government, passengers faced difficulties in booking cabs as the platform showed fares to be as high as 5 times than the normal rate.
The US-based firm said it "regularly does surge pricing when demand outstrips supply".
"However, given the threat of the Delhi government to cancel permits and impound vehicles of our driver partners, we are temporarily suspending surge in Delhi with immediate effect. We hope to work with the government to keep Delhi moving, especially during this time when the citizens need us the most," Uber India General Manager North Gagan Bhatia said.
Surge pricing is a technique used by Uber and Ola to raise fares to provide drivers the incentive of keeping their cab running while also making it available for the user irrespective of the demand.