The Central Government of India has taken a firm stance against app-based taxi operators following an increase in consumer complaints. Customers have alleged inconsistencies in fare transparency, with reports of varied fares displayed for the same location on different mobile devices, leading to dissatisfaction and questions about consumer rights.
Key Consumer Complaints
- Inconsistent Fares:
Customers have observed discrepancies in fares displayed for the same route when using different mobile phones, such as Android or iPhone. - Incorrect Mileage or Route:
Several complaints highlight incidents where drivers take incorrect routes or display inaccurate distances, resulting in higher fare calculations. - Lack of Security and Transparency:
Concerns regarding inadequate safety measures and insufficient information have also been raised, affecting consumer confidence in these platforms.
Government Actions
- Response Deadline:
The government has directed taxi operators to address consumer complaints within two weeks. - Clarifications on Fare Discrepancies:
Companies have been asked to explain why fare differences occur across different mobile operating systems, despite identical pickup and drop-off points. - Strict Notice Issued:
The government has warned companies to ensure greater transparency and uphold consumer rights. Failure to comply may lead to stricter actions in the future.
Past Incidents of Fare Discrepancies
This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced. In 2024, a similar case was reported where fares differed between Android and iPhone users for the same route.
To investigate further, the government has sought technical explanations from Apple to determine whether fare differences are linked to operating systems or phone hardware.
Not only this but even on battery percentage the fare were varied. For very low battery the user were shown high price and this incident was reported by a user sharing screenshot on social media.
