Cabs
The directive has been issued under Rule 129 of Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which provides for the use of fare meters in motor cabs. The order also mandates digital fare meters in vehicles operating under Rule 7(D) of Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016. The rule is likely to apply to nearly 3 lakh taxis and cabs in Bengaluru. box Govt-notified taxi fares The transport department had issued a notification in Feb 2024 revising taxi fares in Karnataka based on vehicle cost. Under the fare structure, taxis with a vehicle cost of up to Rs 10 lakh have a minimum fare of Rs 100 for the first 4km, followed by Rs 24 per km. For vehicles costing between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15 lakh, the minimum fare is Rs 115 for the first 4km, followed by Rs 28 per km. For vehicles costing more than Rs 15 lakh, the minimum fare is Rs 130 for the first 4km, followed by Rs 32 per km. The notification also provides for a waiting charge of Re 1 per minute. Journeys booked between midnight and 6am attract an additional 10% charge.
Officials said the directive follows a growing number of complaints alleging that some aggregator platforms and drivers are not adhering to the prescribed fare structure. A senior transport department official said complaints primarily concerned passengers being charged fares higher than those notified by govt, while drivers have also raised concerns over commissions deducted by aggregators. Drivers’ unions have been demanding that a uniform fare and revenue-sharing mechanism be implemented for aggregators and other taxi operators,” the official said.
Bengaluru: The transport department has directed all taxis and motor cabs operating across Karnataka, including vehicles attached to app-based aggregators such as Uber , Ola and Rapido in Bengaluru, to install taxi meters in accordance with govt-notified fares. The department has also instructed regional transport offices (RTOs) not to renew fitness certificates of vehicles whose owners fail to comply with the meter installation requirement. Both newly registered and existing taxis and motor cabs must be fitted with meters calibrated to the fares notified by govt. Such vehicles will have to charge passengers in accordance with state-notified fares. “There have been several complaints that aggregators and others are charging passengers exorbitant fares. At the same time, drivers say they are not receiving their rightful share after heavy commissions are deducted. The mandatory meter requirement will apply to taxis operating across the state, including cabs serving Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Aggregators can also recover applicable GST and toll charges from passengers, among other permitted charges.
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