Government not against cab firms but safety prime concern: Gopal Rai, Transport minister

NEW DELHI: The high court order quashing Delhi government's decision to reject the license applications of two app-based cab firms owned by Ola Cabs is a setback for the transport department. Sources said the government, which had rejected applications by both Ola and Uber for not filing necessary information and affidavits, was open to receiving fresh applications.

"When we gave the cab companies a full hearing, Ola never appeared. I held another meeting with the companies on Tuesday where I told them to submit the documents that the transport department had been asking for. The government is not against them but safety is our prime concern," transport minister Gopal Rai said. "The court has asked us to give them another hearing, and once we get the orders on Friday, we will give them time. Cab services will not be available till the time their licenses are cleared," he added.

Both applications were rejected for not submitting undertakings to follow government regulations and not start operations before obtaining licences. Ola and Uber have refused to submit these affidavits.

Uber in a statement said, "We applaud the decision to end the impounding of vehicles plying on aggregator platforms in Delhi. Uber remains committed to protecting the livelihood of drivers and providing safe, reliable and affordable transportation to the citizens of Delhi."

Ola did not comment on the court order.

On June 3, the transport department had rejected the applications of both Ola, which has acquired TaxiForSure, and Uber. At that time, a government official had said: "Both Ola and Uber failed to give details of their database of drivers along with undertakings to comply with the regulations of the transport department."