Government to meet cab aggregators on Tuesday over issues related to pricing, services

Following a surge in customer complaints against cab aggregators, the Consumer Protection Regulator CCPA on Monday announced a meeting with all cab aggregators. The meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 11 am. All small and big App-Based Taxi Services including Ola, Uber, Jugnoo, and Meru are expected to attend this meeting.

In this meeting, clarity will be sought from the cab aggregators regarding the refusal from cab drivers to switch on ACs during the travel and the difference in the fare charged from first-time passengers and regular passengers for the same destination.

A few days ago, Speaking to PTI Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare had said, "We have received several complaints from consumers regarding the cancellation and pricing policy of cab aggregators. The number of complaints are very high and therefore we have called the cab aggregators for explanation of their policies."

What did the government ask?
The government has asked the cab aggregator about their standard and algorithm for fixing the fare. Clarity has also been sought about the policy to be adopted for Surge Charge. It has also been asked why different rates for the first time and repeated trips to the same place? 

Adding to this the government has asked to clarify the policy for cancellation and additional charges. They also asked about the reason behind refusing to run AC during the journey.

The government has also sought answers on what do the cab aggregators do with the data collected by their apps? Where and how is it saved? 

The government has also sought explanation on how cab aggregators were ensuring basic training of the drivers. 

The government has also urged consumers of other service to register complaints on National Consumer Helpline (NCH) for any such issue. Apart from this, consumers can also call on Consumer Helpline Toll-free number. The government has also advised that the bills and information of all services should be kept safe.