Ola still running diesel cabs: radio taxis' association to HC

A radio taxi operators's body today alleged in Delhi High Court that Ola was still running diesel taxis in the capital as the modifications in its software to ensure it does not provide such cabs did not work everywhere in the city.
The association made the submission in an affidavit before Justice Manmohan who is hearing a plea on behalf of radio taxi operators seeking contempt action against Ola and its subsidiaries for violating court orders by running diesel cabs to provide point-to-point transport inside the city.
The association has claimed that the choice provided by the Ola app, to travel 'within Delhi' or 'Delhi-NCR' only works if cabs are booked from central Delhi, while in other areas the software reverts back to its earlier format.

ANI Technologies Ltd, which provides app-based cab services under the name of Ola, had on September 3 told the court that it has modified its software to ensure that no diesel taxis provide point-to-point service in the city.
The association has alleged that in areas where the app's choice function does not work, Ola provides diesel cabs having All India Tourist Permits (AITPs).
It also claimed that Ola's wholly-owned subsidiary, Serendipity Infolabs Pvt Ltd that runs radio cabs under the brand of 'Taxi For Sure', was also operating diesel taxis in violation of the court's orders of July 29 and August 11.

On July 29, the high court had upheld Delhi government's January 1 order by which all app-based cab services which did not conform to the modified Radio Taxi Scheme were banned from operating in the city. The single-judge order was challenged by Ola before a division bench.
The high court had on August 11 dismissed Ola's appeal against its July 29 order, saying the company was "factually incorrect" to contend non-CNG commercial vehicles like diesel cabs, were not barred from plying in the national capital.