Bill to regulate Ola and Uber cab operations, tariff passed in Maharashtra

The state has also decided to protect good samaritans, who try to help road accident victims and are caught in legal battles in case the victims die or receive major injuries.

Published on: Apr 7, 2017, 24:11:22 IST

Hindustan Times | By Faisal Malik, Mumbai

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App-based cabs firms Ola and Uber will no longer be able to get away with tariff as the state government will now regulate operations of aggregators including their tariff. The state has also decided to protect good samaritans, who try to help road accident victims and are caught in legal battles in case the victims die or receive major injuries. All these are part of the new legislation cleared by the state Assembly.

App-based cabs firms Ola and Uber will no longer be able to get away with tariff as the state government will now regulate their operations. (HT FILE)

The bill aims to regulate safety measures also makes computerized test for learners’ license for driving, refresher course for drivers who caused someone’s death and certificate for eye sight for people aged above 50, mandatory.

The Maharashtra Transport and Roads Safety Act, which was passed in the state Assembly on Thursday, says app-based aggregators have to be registered with Regional Transport Authority (RTA). “The offenders shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum term of three months or a maximum fine of Rs 25,000 or both,” says the Act.

“A good samaritan shall not be liable for any civil or criminal action for any injury or death of a road accident victim that resulted with his or her negligence in acting or failing to act while rendering emergency medical or non-medical care or assistance,” it added. However, the state government may adopt a procedure for questioning or examination of the good Samaritan and disclosure of his personal information in such matter. The bill is expected to be cleared by Upper House on Friday.

It also provides protection to officials who in good faith tried to help road accident victim, by not starting any legal proceedings against them.

Honk no more!

The bill will also puts restrictions on use of horns. The bill says the driver shall not honk needlessly or continuously or in silence zones, not use multi-toned horns that give a harsh, shrill or alarming noise. It lets the state regulate decibel level of ambulance sirens.

Mumbai taxi, auto unions ask panel to cap fares for Ola, Uber

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Faisal Malik
Faisal Malik is a senior journalist with over two and a half decades of experience covering Maharashtra’s politics, governance and public policy with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape. He is a Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times and has been associated with its Mumbai edition for more than a decade. Based in Mumbai, Faisal currently covers three major political parties in Maharashtra — Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and NCP (Sharad Pawar). Over the years, he has extensively reported on major political developments, combining investigative insights with in-depth field reporting. His coverage has spanned a wide range of issues, from drought, farmer suicides, major development projects and grassroots challenges to major electoral battles, including three Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections — 2014, 2019 and 2024. Before joining Hindustan Times, he worked with ‘The Asian Age’ and ‘Dainik Bhaskar’. An avid tea enthusiast, he enjoys reading history, Urdu literature and classical poetry. When away from the newsroom, he writes Urdu poetry inspired by human emotions, life's experiences, meaningful reflections and relationships. An amateur photographer, Faisal is passionate about capturing moments that often go unnoticed by the naked eye.Read More