The high court on Monday directed app-based taxi service providers, Ola and Uber, not to use surge pricing during peak hours and ruled that they cannot charge customers more than the rates finalised b
The high court on Monday directed app-based taxi service providers, Ola and Uber, not to use surge pricing during peak hours and ruled that they cannot charge customers more than the rates finalised by the AAP government.
Lawyers for ANI Technologies, which runs Ola, told the judge that the firm will not charge beyond the Delhi government’s stipulated rates and that it be allowed to give discounts to its customers. The court directed Ola to file its submission along with an affidavit before the next date of hearing on August 9.
Lawyers for Uber sought time to seek instructions on whether the company was still charging beyond the prescribed rates. According to prescribed rates, fares for all types of taxi services are Rs 12.50 per km for economy radio taxis and Rs 14 per km and Rs 16 per km would be charged by non-AC and AC black and yellow top taxis, respectively.
The notified fare of radio taxi cabs (distinguished by an LCD board on roof top displaying the words “radio taxi”) is Rs 23 per km. Additional night charges (25 per cent of the fare) are applicable between 11 pm and 5 am.
Uber told the court that the Delhi government’s 2015 city taxi scheme does not apply to it and thus, it was not agreeing that the prescribed cap would apply to it. Ola also told the court it too has raised the plea that the scheme does not apply to it.
The judge, thereafter, asked the Delhi and Central governments to inform if they were agreeable to the court setting up a panel for framing guidelines.
