Govt proposes psychological test for cab aggregator drivers
The psychological test, among many other proposals, has been introduced by the centre aimed at regulating fares, increasing passenger safety, reducing pollution and safeguarding the interests of drivers from the platforms. To be sure, most of the clauses of these guidelines will only come into effect if states choose to implement them.
To protect consumers and encourage competition, the ministry of road transport and highways has proposed that platforms can now charge up to a maximum of twice the base fare during peak hours and a minimum of 50% of the base fare during lean hours.
The centre's new policy mandates that the driver must receive at least 80% of the applicable fare and ensure drivers have health and term insurance of at least ₹ 5 lakh and ₹ 10 lakh, respectively, and a minimum of ₹ 5 lakh insurance cover for each passenger. In the interest for safety, driver's license and vehicle permit must be displayed inside the vehicle and the app must display a clear, high-resolution photo of the driver, the policy document states.
Further to reduce congestion, lower pollution, and improve affordable last-mile connectivity, the centre has allowed the use of private motorbikes as cabs. This incidentally comes after the Karnataka high court earlier in June had banned the use of bike taxis.
The policy also proposes the delisting of vehicles older than eight years from these platforms.
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Time of India
35 minutes ago
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A revolution in mass mobility is underway," Gadkari said. "Work is progressing at a war footing to transform how India travels, with a focus not just on metropolises but also on remote, inaccessible rural areas. We're building ropeways, cable cars and funicular railways across 360 locations, including Kedarnath. Work has already started on 60 of these projects," he said. Live Events Funicular railways are a system that combines elevator and railway technologies to efficiently transport people and goods up and down inclines. These are particularly useful in mountainous or hilly areas. Gadkari said the cost of these projects ranges from Rs 200 crore to Rs 5,000 crore and once completed, they will change the face of India. The minister added that improved road infrastructure will not only boost the economy but will also help in propelling growth and creating jobs. "I am more than confident that in a year's time, our highways will match the standard and quality of US roads that I have been emphasising," he said, adding that days are not far off when metropolises will have cable-run buses, electric rapid mass transport buses with aeroplane-like facilities. Gadkari said pilot projects like Metrino pod taxis, hyperloop systems, and pillar-based mass rapid transport are in the pipeline for cities like Delhi and Bengaluru. "Technology and investors are both coming in. It will be a revolution," he said. The minister said, "Eleven companies, including Tata, Toyota, Hyundai and Mahindra, have agreed to build flex-fuel engine vehicles that will reduce dependence on fuel imports as well as fossil fuel." Flex-fuel vehicles are equipped with internal combustion engines that can operate on more than one fuel. They are primarily meant to run on ethanol and methanol or a blend of biofuels and on conventional fuels such as petrol or diesel. 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Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
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New Indian Express
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