Fare debate on new app-cab safety code

Kolkata: The Bengal government's attempt to rein in app-based cab operators by forcing them to undertake security measures unheard of anywhere else in the world has raised concerns among commuters. Regular users of Uber and Ola say it will make the ride more expensive and wonder why the transport department does not apply the same yardstick to enhance security in yellow metered cabs.Appcabs already have a help button for the rider, they point out. Unless there is a surge charge, an app-cab ride is often cheaper than a comparable AC ride in a metered cab, say commuters.
TOI weighs the argument of the government and counterarguments posed by regular users of app-cabs. The majority of users are in favour of some regulatory mechanism.
Why can't yellow cabs be brought under the same set of rules?
Argument: The yellow cabs operate under administered pricing mechanism. The government fixes its fare to keep it affordable for a majority of commuters. So, the government desisted from bringing them under same set of rules immediately. On the other hand, app-cab aggregators can fix the fare on the basis of market demand, so they can afford to comply with such conditions.
Counter-argument: "Why has the state government failed to rein in yellow cabs that habitually refuse passengers, misbehave with them and fleece people by rigging meters? And what is the equation between government regulated cab fare and security? I seldom get the chance to avail a yellow taxi while coming from my Baguihati home to my central Kolkata office. If there is no surge, the difference is Rs 10. But for an extra cost of Rs 10, I can enjoy the cool comfort of AC cabs and not suffer the smelly seat covers of the yellow ones. For a regular AC cab, the fare is 25% higher," said Aruna Agnihorti, a chartered accountant. "Why shouldn't the same set of rules apply to yellow cabs?"
Is a level-playing field necessary?
Argument: Despite refusals, yellow taxis, thanks to the sheer numbers, remain the mainstay of city's cab services. They still have 70% share of cab commutes. A large chunk of our population cannot handle the technology for availing app-cabs. Yellow cabs, which serve majority of the population, do have a lot of glitches, and need to be given a level playing field. Hopefully, the scene will change for the better.
Counter-argument: "Create a level-playing field does not mean regulating something good and creating hurdles to promote yellow cabs that have been taking commuters for a ride for years. If level playing field means that when I can call any cab to take me to the airport before dawn, and where I can step into any other mode of public transport for the same, I am all for it. But that is not happening. So where is the level-playing field?" asked Gaurav Sinha, an insurance marketing official.
What is the cost-implication of the conditions imposed by the govt?
Argument: We have had long discussions with agencies, police and technology providers. We have been given the impression that these technology upgrades are not cost intensive for the operators. On the other hand, the government needs to make some investment to develop a matching response system. Police need to respond to panic call or CCTV footages.
Counter-argument: "Nothing comes for free. The aggregators need to have a round-the-clock control room, CCTV cameras, facilities to store footage for three days. This involves a cost which will be transferred to end users. There is a competition among aggregators to have greater market share, which leads to competitive low base fares. Already, the fare is lower than yellow cab. We don't know how it will be after the additional features," said Deboshree Roy, a talent-acquisition executive with Wipro.
Will commuters see CCTVs as an invasion of privacy. Will the panic button discourage operators?
Argument: The space in a public transport cannot be a private space. The Motor Vehicles Act says so. Moreover, security overrides privacy in this case. People are now used to be under camera surveillance on the street, at markets and malls, and in offices. Why is it a problem during a trip?
Counter-argument: "The CCTV is an invasion of my privacy. I don't want to be under constant camera watch. Moreover, there are a whole lot of technical issues like storing and deleting footage and uplinking it to the police and transport control room," said Arup Bose, a restaurant owner, who sold his car after the introduction of app-cabs. He feels aggregators like Uber and Ola have changed the way we travel. "Gone are days when my wife, who travels on her own, had to request someone to drop and collect her from the airport. App-cabs have saved us from the dilapidated yellow cabs with doctored meters, leery drivers and uncomfortable rides. Not to mention all that haggling and the humiliation of accepting that you were not much of a bargainer," said Bose.
Another element that is likely to be contentious is the provision holding the aggregators, the licensee, jointly liable along with the driver for any injury, harm, offence or crime committed by the driver. It's still a grey area. While fixing stringent liability for wrongdoing is welcome, the relationship between aggregators and drivers on their platform is crucial.