The Karnataka transport department ordered app aggregators such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Bengaluru to stop providing auto services by Sunday and declared them illegal on Thursday. The department also requested that the aggregators submit a report on alleged overcharges, failing which they will face disciplinary action.
“The transport regulations are violated by the aggregators who run auto services through their apps,” according to the order issued by the state transportation department. We also received complaints about not adhering to the government-imposed price cap. We were told that the higher fees would be collected from the passengers. As a result, auto services must be discontinued, and aggregators must provide the government with a report on overpriced allegations.”
The Autorickshaw Drivers Union in Bengaluru will reportedly launch the “Namma Yatri” app on November 1 so that customers can book an auto online. The ARDU has collaborated with the Beckn Foundation, which is supported by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
Many commuters have recently complained about the exorbitant fares charged by auto drivers in the city. The passengers also claim that the metres are never used.
The Karnataka government raised the metre fares of auto drivers in the state in November of last year. For the first two kilometres, the price was raised to $30 from $25, and the base price per kilometre was raised to $15 from $13.
