Uber and Ola drivers may be restricted from canceling journeys as readily as they do now. This move is the outcome of a recent proposal from the Maharashtra government, which suggests that ride-hailing businesses like Uber and Ola impose fines on drivers who repeatedly cancel rides scheduled by passengers.
The most common problem expressed by Uber and Ola passengers is that drivers cancel journeys without offering adequate justification. This practice frequently places travelers in difficult and awkward circumstances.
A special commission appointed by the Maharashtra government has proposed that consumers who use ride services such as Uber and Ola be reimbursed if a booked cab ride is canceled by the driver.
Currently, passengers must pay a fee if they cancel a ride after booking it and the cab is on its way. There is, however, no corresponding rule for when drivers cancel. Extra charges may also be applied if the cab needs to wait a lengthy period for the passenger to begin the trip.
The association also stated that taxi cabs should be at the pickup location within 20 minutes in order to provide prompt service.
If they take longer, there should be a penalty. This crew, led by retired government employee Sudhirkumar Shrivastava, began working in April.
They will soon submit a final report to the government for approval, which will include these recommendations. Passengers have complained because drivers occasionally offer to give rides but then cancel.
“The idea is that if drivers cancel, they would pay a fine of Rs 50-75 each time, and this money would go to the passenger,” an official explained. However, this is only possible if the government agrees.”
People who use these ride services are optimistic about the new restrictions because cab waiting times have increased, particularly during peak periods.
Uber and Ola have not commented on the recommendations. “Whenever this decision comes into effect, we will welcome it. The government should confirm the mode of payment to the passenger as he is transacting with the cab aggregator,” stated Shirish Deshpande, lawyer of Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, a collective of consumers. “Such a rebate should ideally be routed through the system,” he added.
To ensure that the laws are followed, the local transport office may have the authority to revoke a vehicle’s permit to operate if it is in poor condition.
When passengers complain via the app, the corporation that runs the service considers factors such as the quality of the ride, the appearance of the car, and the whole experience.
These new recommendations correspond to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines 2020.
The central ministry urges all states to follow these guidelines. The group also looked at matters like ensuring fair fares, training drivers, and background checks.
