Delhi HC directs taxi-hailing companies like Ola, Uber to run only on CNG

In a major relief for app-based taxi services in the capital, the High Court on Wednesday suggested that the Delhi government do away with its ban on such cab service providers, while observing that they can hardly be blamed for the illegal acts of the taxi drivers, who have been given All India permits (AIP) by the authorities concerned.

The bench further observed that the Delhi government had “not been able to keep up with the technology” and had failed to create appropriate rules for web-based taxi services, and suggested that the government could “give a comprehensive hearing” to the licence applications filed by various app-based service providers.

    The bench, however, did not issue any oral or written orders, but merely made suggestions while directing the counsel for Ola cabs, an app-based taxi service provider, to “take instructions” on the issue of whether the cabs operated by them were diesel-based or CNG-based cars.

The bench of Justice Manmohan told the counsel for Ola cabs that it was inclined to allow only CNG-based cabs to provide service in the national capital.

“If AIP was given to wrong person, he (OLA) is not to be blamed. You can’t put burden on him (OLA) if AIP was given to a criminal. The cross has to be borne by police and government,” Justice Manmohan said, and added, “But CNG requirement has to be complied with.”

The court noted that under the directions of the Supreme court of India, public service vehicles in Delhi could only be CNG-based.

“If it is point-to-point in Delhi, the cab has to run on CNG. I am very clear about it. Your competitors run on CNG, so how can you run on diesel? Run on CNG or not at all,” the judge said.

The court suggested that the Delhi government do away with the ban on such service providers as their technology has been working across the world, is well-recognised and is a “boon for consumers”, and to hear them afresh on their plea to allow them to ply.

While appreciating the benefits of using app-based taxi services, like the presence of GPS for tracking purposes, reduction in number of private vehicles due to faster and cheaper availability of taxis and their employment potential, the court emphasised that vehicles plying under this technology have to run on CNG.

“Prima facie, I am not going to allow diesel vehicles to run in Delhi through this methodology (of app-based cab service). You see, pollution levels are rising in the city,” it said.

http://www.taxicar.in/

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Uber Tops Taxi Use for Business Travelers, New Report Shows

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  Uber connects travelers with various cars through its smartphone app. (AP Photo)

NEW YORK: Taxis are losing business travelers to ride-hailing services like Uber, a survey shows.
In the three months ended in June, Uber overtook taxis as the most expensed form of ground transportation, according to expense management system provider Certify. Uber accounted for 55 percent of ground transportation receipts compared with taxis at 43 percent.
That's a big jump from just the beginning of the year. In the first quarter, Uber Technologies had 46 percent of receipts tracked by Certify compared with 53 percent for taxis.
"Established travel providers will need to adapt quickly or face further market share erosion to the sharing economy," Certify CEO Robert Neveu said in a statement.
Certify based its finding on the 28 million trip receipts its North American clients submit each year. It does not include receipts from business travelers whose companies use other services to track expenses.
Uber connects travelers with various cars through its smartphone app. Some drivers work for car service companies; others spend a few hours driving their personal cars on the side for some extra money.
Business travelers might be quickly moving toward Uber, but employers still have reservations about safety and liability. Depending on the city, Uber drivers aren't necessarily regulated by government taxi licensing authorities. Both Uber and competitor Lyft insure their drivers during paid rides and also require the drivers to carry personal auto insurance that covers them the rest of the time.
Uber's pricing compared with traditional cabs can vary. Its UberX service, often drivers in Toyota Camrys or Honda Civics, is typically cheaper, but its high-end black cars and SUVs cost a premium. During peak hours, Uber charges a "surge" premium that can add anywhere from 20 percent on to the cost to doubling or tripling it. During really busy periods the surge can be even more.
In a few cities, Uber beat out taxis by a wide margin for business travelers. In its home town of San Francisco, 79 percent of rides expensed through Certify during the second quarter were for Uber. In Dallas, 60 percent were for Uber and 54 percent in Los Angeles. Certify noted that it saw rental car transactions drop at the same time.

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