The department directed all taxis, including those operating through major aggregators Uber, Ola, Rapido and Namma Yatri, to install meters and comply with the fare structure notified by the state govt in 2024.
Taxi drivers say conventional taxi meters available in the market cost between ₹5,000 and ₹7,000, a significant expense for drivers already dealing with rising operating costs.
They said the department is yet to spell out technical specifications, certification requirements, calibration process or the expected cost of the proposed meters. But the new directive lacks clarity,” said Ramesh Holla of Bruhat Bengaluru Taxi Drivers’ Union. Vehicles engaged in corporate transport, tourism and contract-based services should be kept out of this exercise, he said. S Nataraj Sharma, president of the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations, said the govt should bear the cost or adopt an affordable digital system rather than force drivers to buy expensive equipment. Sharma pointed to earlier proposals, during Ramalinga Reddy’s tenure as transport minister, to introduce app-based digital meters that would operate according to fares fixed by the state govt. “Transport officials should not insist on digital meters that come at a heavy cost to drivers,” he said.
Not every commercial vehicle carrying passengers can be treated as a conventional city taxi. Transport associations have welcomed the department’s attempt, but warned against passing the cost of compliance on to drivers.