Delhi HC directs govt rates to all app based taxis

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed app-based taxi aggregators, including Ola and Uber, not to charge more than government-fixed rates from its passengers from August 22. According to the government’s notification, the fares of economy taxis is Rs 12.5 per km, for non-AC taxis Rs 14 per km and for AC black and yellow-top taxis Rs 16 per km. Additional night charge (25 per cent of the fare) is applicable between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The court observed that while taxi aggregators like Ola and Uber reduce the pressure on public transport, “a uniform policy must be devised” for regulating them. Justice Manmohan gave 10 days to these aggregators to comply with the Delhi government’s 2013 policy, under which these cab companies were to charge fares prescribed by the Delhi Transport Department.