The Maharashtra government has launched a new plan called the “Aggregator Cabs Policy 2025” to better control how app-based taxi services work. A key part of this new rule is that auto-rickshaw and cab drivers will now get fined if they cancel your ride for no good reason. This is meant to fix common problems people have, like drivers canceling on them or safety worries.
If a driver cancels a ride meant for a hospital, airport, or railway station, the fine could be up to five times the usual fare. Right now, Maharashtra has 14 different cab services, such as Ola, Uber, Meru, InDrive, and BlaBla.
Cancelling Your Ride: The New Rules
If a driver cancels your ride or refuses to take a short trip, they’ll be fined. This fine will be either ₹100 or 10% of the fare, whichever amount is smaller. This money will then be added to your account.
On the other hand, if you (the passenger) cancel a ride, you’ll have to pay the driver either ₹50 or 50% of the fare, whichever is less.
How Earnings and Benefits Will Change?
Under the new rules:
- Cab companies (like Ola or Uber) can now only keep a small amount of the fare as profit, between 5% and 8%. Before, they could keep as much as 28%.
- Drivers are now guaranteed to receive at least 80% of the money from every ride.
- The policy also makes sure that drivers and their families will get things like training, health insurance, and other advantages.
Price Limits and Safety Rules
The new rules also set limits on how much prices can go up. During busy times, companies can only charge up to 1.5 times the normal fare. But during slow times (off-peak hours), they can offer discounts of up to 25%.
Companies must also have the correct permits and follow important safety rules. This includes things like:
- GPS tracking so you can see where the cab is.
- Emergency contact options in case of trouble.
- Background checks for drivers to ensure they are safe.
The Goal of the New Policy
The main goal of this new “Aggregator Cabs Policy 2025” is to make app-based taxi services in Maharashtra more dependable and safer for everyone.
By making drivers accountable for canceling rides and putting strong safety rules in place, the policy hopes to earn the trust of passengers and make everyone happier with these services.