• Source:JND
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The Karnataka government on Sunday announced a new fare structure for the city taxis and those operating through app-based cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. The Karnataka Transport Department said that the fixed fare rule will apply to all taxi operators in the state with immediate effect. The department also stated that the order aims to address concerns regarding the surge in pricing and to regulate the fare structure for commuters and drivers in the state.   

Revised Taxi Fares In Karnataka 

According to the order, the taxi vehicles have been categorised into three classes based on their cost. The vehicles priced under Rs 10 lakh or below will have a fixed fare of Rs 100 for the initial four kilometres and will have an additional charge of Rs 24 per extra kilometre. Vehicles priced between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh range will have a minimum fare of Rs 115 and Rs 28 for each subsequent kilometre after a distance of the first four kilometres. Meanwhile, the vehicles costing about Rs 15 lakh will have a fixed fare of Rs 130 and will be charged with Rs 32 for every extra kilometre. 

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The government has also imposed limits on extra charges for late-night rides, which earlier allowed the taxi operators to levy an additional 10 per cent charge between midnight and 6 am. The new rules also allow cab aggregators to collect GST and toll charges from passengers. Taxi operators like Ola and Uber would also be able to charge Rs 1 per minute while the first five minutes of waiting time will be free for passengers.

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The new rules, which eliminate surge pricing and set fixed fares for different categories of vehicles, have received mixed reactions from the stakeholders. While online-based aggregator associations have welcomed the decision, some commuters have raised concerns about the increased base charges. 

The Congress government in Karnataka stated that the move aims to protect the interests of both drivers and passengers and will ensure fair competition among taxi operators, which will not allow big corporate players to have an edge over the market.

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