Challenging big players, drivers launch app for no-surge service

Dtaxi Industrial Co-operative Service Society Ltd, a driver cooperative, has launched the app-based taxi service which does not intend to impose surge charges on passengers. The app can be downloaded from Google Playstore. The taxis would be available for the local, rental and outstation trips. So far, 150 drivers have registered with the society.

Uber and Ola have increasingly come under fire for collecting hefty commissions from drivers and charging cancellation fee and surge prices from customers. G Balaji, president of the cooperative society said that with the entry of the corporates in the cab aggregators service, the drivers and cab owners were being pushed out of work and into debt. “Hence we decided to form a cooperative society of the drivers to launch an app-based cab aggregator service,” said Balaji. “Drivers who own a cab or have taken a cab on lease can become member of the society by paying a registration fee of Rs 100. They can join two schemes – one paying a monthly fee of Rs 3,000 and other 10 per cent commission for payment for the maintenance of the app and the society,” he said.

The functioning of the taxi service would come under the department of the industries and commerce.

Autorickshaws will also be available via the app and they will follow the fares fixed by the government -minimum fare of Rs 25 for 1.8 km and Rs 12 for every additional km would be charged. Balaji said that for the small car, the minimum fare would be Rs 30 and a charge of Rs 12.5 per km. The cancellation charge of Rs 20 would be collected for all types of services.