Only one app-based cab service, TaxiForSure, applies for permit

NEW DELHI: Almost a fortnight after the Delhi transport department came out with a modified radio taxi scheme, only one taxi aggregator firm has applied for permit so far. “We have had enquiries and one company, TaxiForSure, has applied for a permit,“ said a senior transport department official.

The Delhi government had modified its radio taxi scheme to include online or app-based taxi services last month. As part of the new scheme, taxi aggregator companies such as Ola, TaxiForSure and Uber came within the ambit of the transport department regulations. The scheme included stricter safety norms such as GPS in the vehicles as well as a detailed verification process of drivers by the car hiring service. However, immediately after the launch of the modified scheme, the taxi aggregator companies had claimed that they were not covered under the new scheme as they were not radio taxi companies.

“Enquiries have been made by several companies, including Ola, which has asked for details of the scheme,“ said the government official. To date though, only TaxiForSure has applied for a permit under the new radio taxi scheme, according to sources. “Uber has not applied under the modified scheme,“ added the official. As part of the ban imposed by the Delhi government, none of the appbased taxi services like Ola or Uber are allowed to offer their service in the city.

Earlier this month, the Delhi transport department had clarified that the ban on these app-based services was to continue till they applied and got a permit under the existing rules of the transport department. According to the Delhi transport department, at present, only six radio taxi companies are allowed to play: Mega Cabs, Meru, Easy Cabs, Chanson Cabs, Yo and Air Cab.

The modified radio taxi scheme has tried to plug holes that existed in the 2006 scheme. At the outset, the scheme clearly specifies that the permit includes aggregators of radio taxis besides radio taxi service providers. It also spells out that the licence will be provided to only that company , which is registered under the Companies Act 1956, mandated to provide public transport services.

Besides underlining that GPS in the radio taxi, along with a valid driver's licence and PSV (public service vehicle) badge for the driver is mandatory , the scheme also clarifies that the service provider will have to have a registered office in the city as well as a call centre, which, however, can be outsourced.