(Representative image)

MUMBAI: After much delay, the state government has finally unveiled the city taxi scheme, which aims to streamline the rules for app-based cabs for the entire state.

It makes mandatory for all app-based cab aggregators to have a 24X7 control rooms, a display board which will show the route and fares inside the cab and will also make it mandatory for cab owners to install panic buttons. One of the major decision that was taken in the policy, is that the state transport department which is headed by Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Raote , has prescribed a common colour code for all the app-based cabs. The colour in the policy is daffodil yellow, but the prototype which they presented was more close to saffron colour, Sena's identity.

Meanwhile, the crux of the policy, which is also the most debated clause, a decision on the price fixation and the cap on surge pricing has been skirted for now. Raote said that a four member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of retired IAS officer BC Khatua , which has representation by a lawyer, chartered accountant and former transport commissioner.

"They will study all the pricing models and will suggest a minimum and maximum fare which a cab aggregator can charge. There will be also a cap on surge pricing. We will not allow cabs to charge whatever they feel like from now on. The report should be out in one month," said Raote.

The policy also allows for migration of black and yellow taxis to app-based taxi networks on the same taxi permit that they currently have, no additional

fee will be charged, but once the switch is made he will not be able to switch back to driving a black and yellow taxi.

Officials said that taxis which plan to make the switch will have to adhere to all the norms under this scheme. Another issue which may not find favour from the aggregators is the clause which demands that a driver of an app based taxi obtain a special permit and different permit rates will be charged for small, medium and large taxis, currently drivers can drive an app based cab on just a commercial driving licence.

