Users are unhappy with the high fees for short distances and want government intervention.
What’s it about? Six months ago, Ola increased its minimum fares. Now, it has introduced convenience and access fees that have caused the minimum fare for 1.5 km to be ₹110. Previously, the minimum fare for 1.5-2.5 km was ₹55-60.
- Ola continues to operate unregulated by the state government. However, according to auto drivers affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), regulations state that 80% of the fare should go to the driver.
- Following a Madras High Court order in June, the transport department recommended increasing the minimum fares for autos. Ola and Uber already hiked fares in April.
Who said what? Commuters are understandably unhappy. Some who booked cabs from Ambattur Industrial Estate to Chennai Central were charged ₹38 as convenience fees. The transport department is developing a mobile app to enforce the revised fees for autos.