A new law requiring all auto-rickshaws in Ahmedabad to display a meter has come into effect starting January 1. Following this, the RTO (Regional Transport Office) has taken action against private aggregator companies like Rapido and Uber after multiple complaints from rickshaw drivers.
The Ahmedabad RTO has decided to suspend Rapido for 30 days for violating the regulations. Uber has been given a 15-day deadline to ensure that it stops using two-wheelers.
The Ahmedabad Rickshaw Association had raised several concerns about non-transport two-wheelers being used by private aggregator companies, which led the RTO to take action.
Online transport services like Rapido and Uber have become increasingly popular in the city, with many people using their platforms for commuting. However, rickshaw drivers had filed several complaints with the RTO about the operations of these online services. The use of vehicles with white number plates and the violation of the aggregator’s regulations which prompted the RTO to intervene.
According to Ahmedabad RTO official J J Patel, “The RTO had only issued an aggregator licence for three-wheeler auto rickshaws to Rapido, but they violated the rules by using non-transport two-wheeler vehicles through their online app. They continued operating these vehicles even after their documents expired, putting passenger safety at risk. So, we have decided to suspend Rapido’s services for 30 days. If they continue to violate the regulations, legal action will be taken.”
Meanwhile, Uber was found to be using non-transport vehicles like two-wheelers. Uber had only been issued an aggregator licence for three-wheelers and four-wheelers, but was found using two-wheelers. As a result, the RTO has asked Uber to provide assurance that they will stop using two-wheelers for transport within 15 days.