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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cool Cabs fare not applied to Ola and Uber as Maharashtra govt rejects Khatua panel recommendation
Mumbai: "Ola and Uber cannot be compared with Cool Cabs as the latter is a metered taxi while the former two are privately run vehicles. So the question of increasing fares at par with Cool Cabs does not arise," said a senior official from the transport commissioner's office, where a crucial meeting was held between transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar and the union leaders. The official further said that there was no mechanism to determine fares for Ola and Uber at present, and the Khatua panel on fare fixation suggested in the past a fare mechanism for aggregator cabs, which was not accepted by the govt. The Khatua panel formula is used to determine fare hikes of auto rickshaws, Kaali Peeli taxis, and Cool Cabs across MMR. The meeting ended in a stalemate, with the drivers now deciding to take a morcha to the commissioner's office soon for a 'show of strength' and protest against the govt. The union has also decided to move the Bombay High Court on Friday against the restraint order passed in favour of Uber. The court restrained protesting unions and their members from stopping or blocking Uber cabs and assaulting or threatening its drivers and passengers. "We will seek a stay on this order and, at the same time, all drivers will boycott the Uber app platform from Friday," Maharashtra Kamgar Sena President Keshav Kshirsagar told the media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Free Activities for Kids This July Yayasan Mendaki Learn More Undo The drivers are demanding fares for aggregator cabs be at par with Cool Cab fares of a minimum of Rs 32 per km. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai A senior transport official said that only the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) can take decisions on Ola and Uber cabs, and not the transport commissioner's office. "Efforts are on to bring a new Aggregator cab policy in the state -- which will bring Ola, Uber, and also Rapido in the ambit of the state govt. In that case, we will be able to determine fares. At present, these aggregator companies can decide their own fares as they do not have metered taxis and operate on All India tourist permits only," the official said.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
EV maker Ola opposes auto firms' plea to reduce duty on traction motors
Electric two-wheeler maker Ola Electric has struck a divergent note with the auto industry, which has appealed to the government to cut the basic Customs duty (BCD) on traction motors by half due to the ongoing export restrictions placed by China on standalone magnets. While the industry has asked the ministry of heavy industries (MHI) to reduce the basic customs duty on traction motors to 7.5 per cent from the current 15 per cent, Ola has opposed the move saying that 'there is no global supply chain crises in electric magnets in the auto sector'. The Bengaluru-based firm has reasoned that it was not in favour of any reduction in duty as this would have an adverse impact on those companies which are making the motors in India, and only importing the rare earth motors (like them). The industry, represented by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), has however, said that they have made the request because due to the restrictions on import of standalone magnets (which had a duty of 7.5 per cent) from China, full assembly and sub-assemblies will have to be imported at 15 per cent which would lead to the increase in the cost of the vehicle. The company has argued that it has procured stocks of rare earth magnets from alternative non-Chinese sources in South East Asia and Europe and also plans to introduce 'ferrite motor' powered vehicles by Q3 of 2026, which are as efficient as rare earth powered motors. So they have already worked out an alternate plan of action. In its communication with the MHI, the industry has also sought exemption for traction and wheel rim hub mounted motors which were to be manufactured in the country under the phased manufacturing program for eligibility in the PM e-drive subsidy scheme. That apart, they have also asked for exemption from another condition to get subsidy, that import of PMP components and all other components for electric-2 and 3 wheelers from a single supplier should not be permitted. In the case of PLI, it has requested that additional import costs in sourcing motor assemblies, sub-assemblies, components and electronic throttle will be exempted from the computation of domestic value addition and the import content declared in the techno commercial audit issued before the restrictions by China was imposed will be calculated for DVA has also made it clear that they are not in favour of any change in the domestic value addition norms of PLI as well as the phased manufacturing program as requested by many auto companies. The industry has also pointed out to MHI that while they are committed to the 'Make in India' vision, under the prevailing scenario there is need for the government to provide them with some flexibility to ensure the momentum of growth in EV penetration.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ola, Uber & Rapido told to justify rates; RTA-approved fares to pinch pocket
The transport commissioner 's office on Tuesday directed Ola , Uber and Rapido to submit a written explanation on how they determine fares as Indian Gig Workers' Front continued a pause on the strike of app-based cabs , which was going to be resumed on Wednesday. Additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said, "We had two meetings on Tuesday with firm officials and union leaders. After discussions, we decided that Ola, Uber, and Rapido should provide us with a written explanation on how they determine the app-based fares for cabs and autorickshaws in various cities, and how much they differ from the RTO-approved rates." The demand for high fares has been the reason for agitation by hundreds of drivers across the state. Kalaskar said he has asked the aggregator company if any drivers' IDs have been blocked lately for charging at RTA-approved rates, those IDs should be reactivated. In Pune, the RTA approved fares stand at Rs. 75 for the first 3km and then Rs 25 for every subsequent km. If RTA-approved fare system, as assured by the state transport department, comes into effect, a 10km cab ride for people would cost at least Rs 249.50. At present, the average cab fare (non-surge) for the same distance is around Rs 175 for a basic Uber ride (Uber Go). Commuters blamed the Pune RTO for letting the issue escalate. "They should have acted when this whole issue started. But they hid under the garb that commuters would be affected if they took action. Aren't we facing the problems now?" Kalpana Seth, a bank employee from Kondhwa, said. Maharashtra Kamgar Sena president Keshav Kshirsagar said: "The (state transport department) officials have assured us Ola, Uber and Rapido will give a written assurance to the department on Wednesday on introducing RTA-based fares on their platforms. In the application they will also mention the date from which the RTA-approved fares will get reflected." Prashant Sawardekar, president of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transporters , said, "The transport officials informed us on Tuesday that govt will soon come out with a new policy, which will define the fares for app-based cabs. But we are against this state policy, as Centre has issued guidelines that are completely different. The central guidelines for aggregators mention that the surge price for cabs can go up to 50% of the base fare (which is up to Rs 48 per km). This is not part of the state draft policy." Sushmita Ghosh took to X on Tuesday and posted, "...New airport has all possible inconveniences. The drivers are accepting rides from tired and frustrated travellers, but upon arrival cancelling the trip and telling the passengers to pay Rs 300-400 more." Aneesha Acharya replied to the post and posted, "Today, I booked an Uber ride to go to a hospital in Pimpri from the camp area. Fare on app was Rs 295. On arrival the driver insisted that I pay Rs 700 for 20km. I called Uber support and was shocked to hear 'you have to pay by meter, rates not yet fixed'."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ola, Uber & Rapido told to justify rates; RTA-approved fares to pinch pocket
Mumbai/Pune: The transport commissioner's office on Tuesday directed Ola , Uber and Rapido to submit a written explanation on how they determine fares as Indian Gig Workers' Front continued a pause on the strike of app-based cabs, which was going to be resumed on Wednesday. Additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said, "We had two meetings on Tuesday with firm officials and union leaders. After discussions, we decided that Ola, Uber, and Rapido should provide us with a written explanation on how they determine the app-based fares for cabs and autorickshaws in various cities, and how much they differ from the RTO-approved rates." The demand for high fares has been the reason for agitation by hundreds of drivers across the state. Kalaskar said he has asked the aggregator company if any drivers' IDs have been blocked lately for charging at RTA-approved rates, those IDs should be reactivated. In Pune, the RTA approved fares stand at Rs. 75 for the first 3km and then Rs 25 for every subsequent km. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune If RTA-approved fare system, as assured by the state transport department, comes into effect, a 10km cab ride for people would cost at least Rs 249.50. At present, the average cab fare (non-surge) for the same distance is around Rs 175 for a basic Uber ride (Uber Go). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo Commuters blamed the Pune RTO for letting the issue escalate. "They should have acted when this whole issue started. But they hid under the garb that commuters would be affected if they took action. Aren't we facing the problems now?" Kalpana Seth, a bank employee from Kondhwa, said. Maharashtra Kamgar Sena president Keshav Kshirsagar said: "The (state transport department) officials have assured us Ola, Uber and Rapido will give a written assurance to the department on Wednesday on introducing RTA-based fares on their platforms. In the application they will also mention the date from which the RTA-approved fares will get reflected." Prashant Sawardekar, president of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transporters, said, "The transport officials informed us on Tuesday that govt will soon come out with a new policy, which will define the fares for app-based cabs. But we are against this state policy, as Centre has issued guidelines that are completely different. The central guidelines for aggregators mention that the surge price for cabs can go up to 50% of the base fare (which is up to Rs 48 per km). This is not part of the state draft policy." Sushmita Ghosh took to X on Tuesday and posted, "...New airport has all possible inconveniences. The drivers are accepting rides from tired and frustrated travellers, but upon arrival cancelling the trip and telling the passengers to pay Rs 300-400 more." Aneesha Acharya replied to the post and posted, "Today, I booked an Uber ride to go to a hospital in Pimpri from the camp area. Fare on app was Rs 295. On arrival the driver insisted that I pay Rs 700 for 20km. I called Uber support and was shocked to hear 'you have to pay by meter, rates not yet fixed'."
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Ola Electric, TVS charge up plans to beat rare-earth magnet crunch
Ferrite magnets are now globally considered a viable and cost-effective option due to their easy availability instead of rare-earth materials like neodymium, making it an affordable option Surajeet Das Gupta New Delhi Listen to This Article Ola Electric is planning to launch in the third quarter (September-December) some of its electric vehicles powered with ferrite motors as an alternative to those that go with heavy rare-earth magnets, whose supply the Chinese government has choked. Government sources Ola is in discussion with have said the company has been working for over two years on developing the technology and design for ferrite motors, where the magnet is made of iron (with some other metals added). The prototype has been internally validated and is being tested on some of its vehicles. The company has to go to the Automotive
