Taxi Apps

Sahkar Taxi Cooperative begins soft launch of Bharat Taxi in Delhi, Gujarat

Sahkar Taxi Cooperative has started beta consumer trials of its Bharat Taxi ride-hailing app in Delhi and parts of Gujarat, pitching a driver-owned model with Metro integration and safety tie-ups.

Study finds widespread 'dark patterns' in India's ride-hailing apps

Forced cancellations, hidden fees and manipulative prompts plague users as survey shows eight in ten riders report deceptive design practices

Cooperative cab service 'Bharat Taxi' to pilot test in first week of Nov

A few months ago, the 'Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited' was formally registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, with an authorised share capital of Rs 300 crore

App-based taxis, autos go on daylong strike for their demands in Mumbai

Several app-based taxis and auto rickshaws went on a one-day strike across Maharashtra on Thursday to press for their demands, including fare hikes, a union said, though some users said they did not feel any inconvenience. Dr Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president of Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch, the union that has been leading the strike, claimed that a large number of vehicles remained off the road due to the strike in cities like Mumbai, Nashik and Pune. The union has demanded fare rationalisation, bringing the rates on a par with those of the conventional black-and-yellow metered cabs, prohibition of bike taxis, and a cap on permits for black-and-yellow taxis and auto rickshaws. A welfare board for drivers of app-based cabs and enactment of a law for gig workers' are among the other demands of the union. Due to the strike, the Mumbai airport parking lot, which remains crowded with app-based taxis, was deserted on Thursday afternoon, said the union. Some passengers, however, claimed

Operators of app-based cabs suspend strike in Mumbai for three days

The Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch on Saturday suspended the ongoing strike of drivers of app-based taxis in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra for three days. Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president of the association, told PTI that the strike, which started on Wednesday, was being suspended till next Tuesday to give time to the Maharashtra government to respond to their demands. "We have only suspended the strike, not called it off. If our demands are not accepted by Tuesday, services will be shut again," he said. At a meeting with the association's representatives, transport department officials sought time till Tuesday, said Kshirsagar. In the meantime, app-based cabs will charge the rate fixed by the government for the conventional black-and-yellow taxis and not the rate appearing in the apps of cab aggregators (such as Ola or Uber), he said. He also urged commuters and drivers to use www.onlymeter.in, a fare calculation website based on official government rates, to avoid ...

59% users say app taxi services still unfair despite new govt rules: Survey

A nationwide survey reveals 59% of app-based taxi users still face issues like ride cancellations, surge pricing, and poor driver behaviour, despite new government rules aimed at reforming the sector

Rapido halts bike taxi services in Karnataka after high court order

In place of a bike taxi, users now see a "bike parcel" service

Karnataka imposes ban on bike taxi service, Rapido launches bike parcel

The order came after the Karnataka government confirmed it had taken a policy decision not to permit such operations, even as other apps like Ola and Uber continued to show the bike taxi option

RBI reviews e-wallets after sudden collapse of EV taxi service BluSmart

Reserve Bank of India has begun informal consultations with EV charging-point operators and other app-based EV platforms to assess potential consumer risks

Delhi HC asks Centre to outline mechanism for disabled-friendly taxi apps

The Delhi High Court has directed the central government to apprise it about the regulatory mechanism for ensuring that taxi aggregators' applications are disabled-friendly prior to their launch. The court granted a last opportunity to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to file an affidavit on this aspect within four weeks. . failing which, the concerned Joint Secretary of the respondent no.2 (ministry) shall personally remain present in court, on the next date of hearing (August 13), Justice Sachin Datta said and listed the matter for further proceedings on March 19. Meanwhile, bike-taxi aggregator Rapido also assured the court that adequate steps will be taken to ensure that its application continues to be disabled-friendly. The submission came after the court was informed that as per the accessibility audit report, several accessibility issues were identified in the Rapido Android App'. The counsel for Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd -- which owns Rapido -

8 in 10 app taxi users report dark patterns like bait-and-switch, others

4 in 10 app taxi users also confirm experiencing drip pricing, according to the survey, which said price manipulation based on user information was experienced by the consumers

Uber invests in tech-led features to make it safer for riders, drivers

The ride-hailing firm has also built the Centre of Excellence for safety, where teams handle safety issues ranging from a verbal dispute over cash or route to critical incidents like accidents

India becomes the third country in the world with a million Uber drivers

In the quarter ending March 31, Uber witnessed a 15% surge in global revenue from the previous year, reaching $10.13 billion

Clearing the air: 2 out of 3 app-based cabs may go off road in Delhi

More than 130,000 app-based cabs ply on Delhi's roads daily, according to industry estimates

Delhi's AQI 'severe', smog continues to persist over parts of the capital

Delhi air quality today: AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 432 (severe category), while in the RK Puram area, the AQI stood at 453 (severe category)

Ola, Uber drivers go on strike demanding better remuneration, bike taxi ban

A large section of cab drivers of Ola and Uber went on a strike on Monday demanding fare regulation, a ban on bike taxi services that they say are eating up their revenue, and stringent action on certain toll booths functioning beyond their contract period. The drivers staged an agitation here urging the state government to immediately intervene and regulate the app-based cab aggregators and to also resolve the issue of high commission charged by the aggregators from them. The All India Road Transport Workers Federation and the Tamil Nadu Urimai Kural Driver Trade Union, which announced the strike has demanded a ban on bike taxi services. The drivers have called for a massive protest in the city on October 18 to highlight their demands. "With the interior areas of Perungudi still lacking connectivity, I usually book a cab to reach my office. Due to the strike I had to depend on an auto, after an agonising wait" says Mahesh, a commuter. P Sridhar of Madipakkam, whose father was ...

Goa govt launches taxi service app to facilitate easy travel for tourists

The Goa government on Friday launched a taxi service app through which people can book a cab online to travel anywhere within the coastal state. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the "Goa Taxi App" in the presence of state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) chairman Ganesh Gaonkar and director of tourism Suneel Anchipaka. Speaking on the occasion, Sawant said the tourist footfall in the state will increase, once visitors are assured of their safety, and the introduction of the taxi app is a major step towards it. The app will also help bring down the travelling cost for tourists, who have been complaining about exorbitant taxi fares in the coastal state, he said. Tourists were complaining that travelling to Goa from Mumbai by flight is cheaper than travelling to a hotel in the coastal state in a taxi, the chief minister said. Khaunte said "Goa Taxi App" has been operational at the Manohar International Airport (MIA), Mopa since the last

Uber gears up for an electric vehicle future amid rising competition

It has drawn up plans to include more electric vehicles in its fleet by tying up with manufacturers, fleet owners and charging stations

Uber partners with GeM portal for taxies to govt offices at fixed price

Soon personnel from the government ministries, departments, agencies and public sector units will be able to book taxis for official purposes from cab aggregator Uber as the company has partnered with public procurement portal GeM to provide the service. "It will be a kind of corporate service. At present, we have started the service on a pilot basis and gradually it will be available for all the government ministers, departments, agencies and public sector units (PSUs). We are planning to go phase by phase," an official said. The company would provide the service at a fixed price with zero cancellation charges and no surge pricing. The company has registered at the portal of government e-marketplace (GeM), which was launched in 2016 by the commerce ministry for buying goods and services by central ministries and departments with a view to bringing transparency in government procurement. There is a growing demand for taxi services in the government and all the departments spend hug

Uber expands pre-booking 'Reserve' option to 6 more cities in India

Ride-hailing app Uber on Wednesday announced the expansion of 'Reserve' facility across six more cities in India, giving riders an option to pre-book their rides 30 minutes to 90 days ahead of their travel. Uber Reserve will now be available for cash payments offering riders access to pre-booked rides, it said in a statement. The six new cities added are Kochi, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and Guwahati. "Reserve now appears as a new option in the latest version of the Uber app and is available on Uber Premier, Uber Intercity, Uber Rentals and Uber XL," an Uber release said. With this, the service is now live across 13 cities -- Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kochi, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and Guwahati -- in India. The new product is developed keeping in mind pre-planned travel needs, including work trips, airport drops, visits to the doctor, and other scheduled appointments, according to Uber. "With Reserve, riders can ..