While car-pooling by app-based taxi aggregators such as Uber and Ola has cut the travelling cost of regular commuters, those in Delhi might soon face inconvenience as shared cab rides might soon be illegal. The move is a part of the Delhi government’s soon-to-be-implemented City Taxi Scheme, which is aimed at regulating such online taxi services.
According to reports, shared rides or pool rides offered at discounted rates, will no longer be allowed as under the Motor Vehicles Act-1988 as there is no provision to pick up passengers on the way. The development will come as a huge blow to thousands of regular commuters who have become used to this easy and economical means of transport.
However, this will not be the first time that a city would be banning shared cab rides, pool rides were also banned in Bengaluru earlier this year. City Taxi Scheme launched in 2015 by the Delhi govt is now being updated.
“Ride-sharing is not allowed in the Act. Contract carriage licenses issued to private aggregators do not allow cabs to pick and drop passengers from different points. This accounts for permit violations,” an official said. It is to be noted that the draft of the fresh policy, being prepared by the Transport Department, will first be sent to Minister Kailash Gahlot, and then after the Cabinet approval, it will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor.
“The scheme is almost in place and will be notified for public suggestions soon,” the official added.
