Confusion prevails over minimum fare for app-based cabs

The Transport Department is back to square one on the issue of fixing minimum fares for app-based taxis as drivers and aggregators continue to shift their stance.

Over a month after submitting a report recommending Rs 10/km and Rs 12/km as minimum fare for hatchbacks and sedans respectively, officials of the department held another meeting to consider views of the drivers and cab aggregators.

Karnataka Taxi Owners, Drivers and Operators Association president Hameed Akbar Ali said officials should make the present maximum fare (Rs 14.50/km for hatchbacks and Rs 19.50/km for sedans) as minimum fare.

“Prices have gone up since the Transport Department increased the fare structure in 2013. We want them to fix Rs 17.50/km and Rs 21.50/km for small and sedan cars as minimum fare considering inflation,” he said.

Additional Commissioner for Transport H G Kumar said there was confusion on the minimum fare. “Some drivers are asking for an increase in incentives but some others are demanding minimum fare. Now, the aggregators have their own views. We will consider all these and take a decision soon,” he said.

Officials said the cab aggregators are demanding a different set of fares for high-end cars. “They want a higher slab for luxury cars considering the cost of cars and the expectations of the drivers,” they said.

Meanwhile, drivers said they were stunned when one of the cab aggregators suggested Rs 26/km minimum fare. “Till the end of the meeting they opposed the idea of minimum fare. They changed tack at the last minute,” a driver said.