Surprise check on Ola after plaints of overcharging

After receiving complaints from the people regarding overcharging during peak hours by taxi operator Ola, an enforcement team of the Transport department led by Joint Commissioner Narendra Holkar, conducted a surprise raid on the Ola office in Koramangala on Thursday.

Officials said the check revealed several irregularities such as violations of fares fixed by the government for different vehicles which are operating on City Taxi Permits and State Taxi Permits.

As per the state transport department rules, the fare fixed for City Taxi Permits are higher than those vehicles with State Taxi Permits.

However, Ola was found to be charging the City Taxi fares for all types of vehicles, which is much more than the prescribed fares as per the government notification.

Officials said even though Ola company was a licenced aggregator, it was violating the provisions of the government notification and permit conditions. Transport officials said that legal action will be initiated against the firm. Several complaints pertained to extra fare being charged by the cab drivers under the pretext of peak hour charges, which was illegal, the department officials said.

Department officials, including Holkar, visited the cab company in Koramangala and held discussions with the company officials along with Motor Vehicle Senior inspectors.

Holkar said, “We have found illegalities in their operations. There are instances of driver misbehaviour and overcharging. We will seek legal opinion on what action can be taken against the company.”