Online taxi aggregators will have to secure licence from the State Transport Authority (STA) within three months of commencement.

Stringent licensing norms to cap fares and to rein in motor cab operators and drivers and a host of safety features for riders have been spelled out in the Transport Aggregator Policy aimed to regulate those providing ‘On demand Information Technology-based Transportation’.

Online taxi aggregators will have to secure licence from the State Transport Authority (STA) within three months of commencement.

Motor vehicles should have digital fare meters with printer, GPS, Web or mobile application for grievance redress and facility for the rider to contact two persons and the local police.

‘Kerala On-Demand IT-based Transportation Scheme 2016’ comes in the backdrop of mushrooming online taxi operators, increasing grievances from riders and the skirmishes with the taxi operators.

Official sources told The Hindu that the policy chalked out by the Motor Vehicles Department based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) had been forwarded to the government for approval.

The licensee should have a 24x7 call centre, operational telephone number and should provide email address of grievance redressal officer and ensure that all journeys are booked only via the aggregator IT-based platform.

A person convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or convicted under cognizable offence under Cr.PC 1973, including fraud, sexual offences, use of motor vehicle for commiting offence, crime involving property damage or theft, violence or terrorism cannot use the platform.

The licensee will have to provide the list of drivers with driving licence, badge number and registration details, chassis number of vehicles on a quarterly basis to STA.

Zero tolerance policy

An annual fee of Rs.100 will be collected from drivers. The drivers can register or log into multiple online cab aggregators.

They will not be compelled to drive a minimum number of hours.

The policy of zero tolerance for discrimination or discriminatory conduct while a driver is logged in has been spelled out.

On receiving a complaint, the erring driver will be suspended and he or she will be deactivated from the platform.