Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 22: The Maharashtra government has come down heavily on cab aggregator companies accused of fleecing commuters during the recent spell of heavy rains that brought Mumbai’s public transport to a standstill.

State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday directed the transport department and Mumbai police to initiate stringent action against app-based taxi services that charged exorbitant fares from helpless commuters.

“For the past three to four days, heavy rains in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have disrupted traffic and crippled bus and local train services. Taking advantage of this crisis, some app-based cab companies have been looting passengers by charging three to four times the normal fare. Where the usual ride costs around Rs 200, commuters were forced to pay between Rs 600 and Rs 800,” Sarnaik said.

The minister warned that the state will not tolerate such exploitation and directed the transport commissioner to cancel licences of those cabs found guilty. “Strict action should be taken against such companies,” he asserted.

Following his instructions, the Motor Transport Department and police launched a large-scale operation against 147 app-based cab services across Mumbai and its suburbs. Of these, 36 were found guilty of overcharging passengers.

Sarnaik also held discussions with Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and suggested that the cyber cell be roped in to take further action against errant cab firms.