In a decisive move to protect commuters, Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed the transport commissioner's office to take strict action against app-based taxi aggregators following numerous complaints of passengers being forced to pay tips and additional charges by drivers. The directive was issued after Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde raised serious concerns about what he described as exploitative practices by certain drivers associated with ride-hailing platforms.
Complaints of Exploitative Practices
According to complaints received from commuters, drivers are allegedly demanding extra payments beyond the fare displayed on the app, insisting on tips before starting rides, and in some cases canceling bookings if passengers refuse to comply. These incidents have caused significant inconvenience and harassment, particularly during urgent travel situations.
Transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar stated, "I have issued directives to all RTOs and called all officers for a meeting on Friday to discuss the issue." The meeting aims to address the growing number of complaints and formulate a strategy to curb such malpractices.
Social Media Outcry
Over the past few days, several passengers have taken to social media to report such incidents, claiming they were subjected to inconvenience, harassment, and financial exploitation. The public outcry prompted MP Shrikant Shinde to urge the state transport minister to intervene and ensure that commuters are protected from arbitrary practices.
Minister's Response
Responding swiftly, Minister Pratap Sarnaik termed the reported incidents as “unfair and unacceptable” and emphasized that passengers cannot be forced to pay tips or additional amounts beyond the prescribed fare. He directed the Transport Commissioner to investigate the functioning of the companies concerned and take stringent action wherever violations are found.
New Aggregator Policy in the Works
The minister also announced that the state transport department is working on a new aggregator policy aimed at regulating app-based taxi and ride-hailing services more effectively. The proposed policy is expected to address issues related to passenger rights, fare transparency, and accountability of service providers. This move is seen as a significant step towards ensuring a fair and transparent system for commuters.
Consumer Rights Violation
MP Shrikant Shinde maintained that while tips offered voluntarily by customers are a reflection of service quality, demanding them as a precondition for providing service amounts to a violation of consumer rights. He stated, “Exploiting passengers during times of need and compelling them to pay extra charges is akin to holding customers to ransom.”
The crackdown has been welcomed by commuters who have long faced such issues. The transport department's proactive approach is expected to bring relief to thousands of daily users of app-based taxi services in Maharashtra.
