Odd-Even Phase II: Uber, Ola Withdraw Surge Price After Govt Warns Of Strong Measures

Bringing relief to commuters, the Delhi government Monday directed the Transport department to cancel permits and impound commercial vehicles if they are found “overcharging”. The move comes in the wake of complaints by commuters of overcharging by app-based operators such as ...Read More

Ola and Uber. Since its first phase, the odd-even road rationing scheme has heavily depended on cab services. Despite increase in frequency of Metro trains and more buses on roads, commuters have fallen back on hiring cabs.On the first working day of the second phase of the odd-even scheme, commuters had to pay surge pricing of up to five times the normal fare while hiring cabs from Ola and Uber. An increase in demand led to non-availability of cabs and subsequent surge pricing by operators, prompting the Delhi High Court to seek the government’s intervention in the matter Monday. Following the government directive, Uber and Ola ‘temporarily’ suspended ‘surge price’. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted Monday afternoon, “Strict action, incl permit cancellation n impounding vehicle, to be taken against taxis which charge rates more than govt prescribed rates.” Commuters, meanwhile, were disgruntled about the increase in fares. Radha Saraya had to take her mother to a doctor in south Delhi at 2 pm. “At 1 pm, Uber asked for a surge charge of 3.4 times, while it was 2.5 times from Ola, for a trip from R K Puram to Saket. I waited 15 minutes. While Uber’s surge pricing continued, Ola had no cabs available anymore,” she said. She had to shift the appointment to 8.30 pm, when the odd-even restrictions are lifted. - See more at: http://indian-express-develop.go-vip.net/article/cities/delhi/arvind-kejriwal-uber-surge-pricing-delhi-odd-even-ola-app-based-taxis/#sthash.g0gr83cR.dpuf