• Source:JND
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Maharashtra: In a major update, ride-hailing platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Maharashtra’s Mumbai have been instructed to follow the base fare of traditional black-and-yellow taxis until the government finalises separate fare structures for them.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) had instructed the app-based cab and auto aggregators to adopt the existing fare structure of black-and-yellow taxis into their mobile apps by 5 PM on September 18, news agency PTI reported.

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Key Highlights Of The Black-And-Yellow Taxi Fare Structure

- According to a letter from the MMRTA dated September 16, the current fare for black-and-yellow taxis is Rs 20.66 per km for non-AC vehicles and Rs 22.72 per km for AC vehicles.

- The MMRTA Secretary Bharat Kalaskar said that a 25 per cent discount on the base fare can be applied during low-demand periods.

- During high-demand periods, a surge pricing of up to 1.5 times is allowed, the PTI report added.

- Additionally, the drivers will get 80 per cent of the total fare collected.

What Prompted The Change In Aggregator Fare Rules?

- Kalaskar stated that earlier discussions were held with app-based aggregators, and they agreed to implement the revised fare structure.

- The move to revise fares for app-based auto-rickshaws and taxis was prompted after the driver union threatened to launch an agitation against the government if the fare hike were not approved.

- As per the new rates, passengers will have to pay Rs 5 extra per kilometre compared to the existing fare structure.

- The app-based aggregators charge a base fare of Rs 15-16 per km for smaller cabs, which is significantly lower than the fare structure of black-and-yellow taxis.

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Earlier, on September 18, the drivers associated with the ride-hailing platforms gathered at the Azad Maidan to stage a protest against Ola, Uber and Rapido for failing to implement government-approved rates on their platforms. The drivers have resolved that if the fair fares are not implemented by September 30, they will take an oath to vote against the Mahayuti alliance.