App-based cab drivers protest penalties for excess fares charged by aggregators in Bengaluru

The Karnataka App-based Workers’ Union, along with the Raghu Peace Auto Union, held a protest in Bengaluru against penalising drivers for excess charges implemented by cab and auto aggregators.

The unions alleged that RTO officers have been ‘wrongfully targeting drivers’ and issuing challans ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹12,000.

“Aggregator companies are charging passengers excess amounts, but RTO is penalising the drivers. The aggregators are supposed to follow the rates fixed by the government of Karnataka. Instead, they are charging higher fares. The apps are taking the money, and the penalty is falling upon the drivers,” said Mohammed Inayath Ali from Karnataka App-based Workers’ Union.

Significant difference

The government has fixed rates for autorickshaw rides — ₹30 for the first 1.9 km, and ₹15 per additional kilometre. This is set to be revised to ₹36 and ₹18, respectively, from August 1.

For cabs, the minimum fare ranges from ₹100 to ₹130, and the rate for every additional kilometre ranges from ₹24 to ₹32, depending on the model of the vehicle.

A document from the RTO, which was seen by The Hindu, showed that at least nine cabs and 25 autos operating with aggregators were recorded as charging excess fares on July 21. While the difference between the government-fixed rate and the fare charged by the app for cabs was around ₹250, in the case of autos, it went up to around ₹495 in one case.

Challans not withdrawn

“For the past eight days, officers have been cracking down on drivers. If the driver is physically demanding more money than what is being displayed on the app, penalise them. Instead, they are being fined for the excess money that is being charged by the app companies when officials should actually be taking the aggregators to task,” Mr. Ali remarked.

The drivers alleged that, during the protest, the officials promised to withdraw the challans. However, they have not acted on it. Some noted that a few platforms have agreed to reimburse the challan amount.

Transport Department officials were not available for comment.