Karnataka fixes uniform taxi fare, puts brakes on surge pricing
According to the new fare structure, cabs have been categorised into three classes based on the cost of the vehicle.
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BENGALURU: Bringing parity among taxi fares, including those operating through app-based aggregators like Uber and Ola, the Karnataka Transport Department announced a new, uniform fare structure, and also prohibited surge pricing.
With this new order released by the department on Saturday, taxi fares would be uniform and the revised fares would be applicable across the State with immediate effect. Prior to this, the fares were different for the two categories of taxis.
According to the new fare structure, cabs have been categorised into three classes based on the cost of the vehicle.
For vehicles whose purchase cost is Rs 10 lakh or below, the minimum fare has been fixed at Rs 100 for up to four km, and Rs 24 for every additional km. For those costing between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15 lakh, the minimum fare is Rs 115, and Rs 28 per additional km cost. For those costing above 15 lakh, the minimum fare is set at Rs 130 with Rs 32 charged for each additional kilometre. The order states that no cab aggregators will be allowed to collect extra charges. As for waiting charge, the first five minutes period is free, after which passengers would be charged Re 1 for every minute.
In addition, app-based aggregators can collect five per cent GST as well as toll charges from the passengers, the new order states. For cabs booked between 12 am and 6 am, operators can charge an extra 10 per cent, it stated.