‘Kerala On-Demand IT-based Transportation Scheme 2016’ comes in the backdrop of mushrooming online taxi operators, increasing grievances from riders and the skirmishes with the taxi operators. Online taxi aggregators will have to secure licence from the State Transport Authority (STA) within three months of commencement. The policy of zero tolerance for discrimination or discriminatory conduct while a driver is logged in has been spelled out. Motor vehicles should have digital fare meters with printer, GPS, Web or mobile application for grievance redress and facility for the rider to contact two persons and the local police. Stringent licensing norms to cap fares and to rein in motor cab operators and drivers and a host of safety features for riders have been spelled out in the Transport Aggregator Policy aimed to regulate those providing ‘On demand Information Technology-based Transportation’.

Source: The Hindu July 13, 2016 20:15 UTC