The Government of India has announced that it would launch a Cab aggregation platform where the drivers can directly register themselves free of charge and avoid the exploitation of Uber/Ola. This is certainly a good move and needs to be encouraged.
However we need to also ensure that the system should be made to function successfully and for the benefit of the people and not only for the benefit of the drivers. The reason why Indians took to Uber and Ola is that earlier, we had to have endless arguments with the auto drivers who always asked “Give me something more than what the meter shows”. The meter itself was often manipulated and yet no auto driver ever went out without having a big argument.
Most of us feel that the reason why we chose Uber/Ola is that we donot have to argue with the price.
Even today in Chennai or Bangalore, Uber car price is often competitive with the Auto driver’s demand. This malaise is spreading even to Uber/Ola drivers who refuse to ply to specific destinations and also insist that they be paid directly.
Hence it is not necessary that Sahkar Taxi will only be a blessing. It may bring back the arguments with the drivers who may say the price has not been revised and hence extra amount has to be paid.
Further there is a doubt whether the app will function efficiently and not gobble up multiple payments or whether the cab operators will cooperate. Managing the functional efficiency and security will always be under cloud. Since there is no corporate interest in managing the app, it is doubtful if NIC will be able to manage the app efficiently.
Despite these doubts, I do think it is worth giving a try to this new project and hopefully it will succeed.
I however have one suggestion. While the Government will fix a charge based on distance, whether the cab is electric or otherwise and the price of petrol etc., they should give an option to drivers to provide discounts based on their preferences and integrate it with the app. For example, I am an auto driver in Area 1 and want to go to my house which is in Area 2, I should have an option to set discounts to Area 2 which will enable me get a priority booking. This technical facility is not available presently with Uber/Ola also and can be a separate service by itself.
If this scheme has to succeed, the State Governments also have to cooperate. They should not increase the road tax to fund their own schemes and put the burden on the drivers.
Naavi
