Uber launches petition to oppose stringent Mumbai regulations
Uber has urged people across the Mumbai metropolitan region to sign an online petition against proposed changes to the Maharashtra City taxi rules, calling them "bad for drivers, riders and also the city". The draft proposals include mandatory minimum fares, the use of more fuel-efficient cars and the introduction of "prohibitive" permit fees. In contrast to Uber, the taxi lobby are "elated" with the proposals, according to union leader A L Quadros.

Uber officials said the new draft taxi rules were ‘bad for drivers, riders and also the city’.

MUMBAI:

is taking its fight for survival to a different level. After petitioning state chief minister

, the

on Wednesday urged commuters across the

to sign an ‘electronic petition’ to oppose stringent clauses in the draft Maharashtra City Taxi Rules.

Uber officials said the new draft taxi rules were ‘bad for drivers, riders and also the city’. The aggregator is trying to garner support from citizens and include the same in a final petition it will submit to the state transport commissioner’s office. The last date to submit suggestions/objections on the new draft rules is November 5.

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Some commuters who spoke to this newspaper agreed the new rules were ‘bad for consumers and protecting the taxi lobby’. In fact, the black-and-yellow cab drivers are elated by the new rules and have nothing to object, said their union leader

.

Uber’s petition mentions: “The new rules will mean higher prices and longer wait times for riders and also threaten the livelihood of thousands of hard-working drivers”. It further stated that the state government last week proposed new rules for apps like Uber. “If adopted, they will mean an end to the Uber you (commuters) know and love today.”

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The draft rules propose mandatory minimum fares and other price restrictions, use of more expensive, less fuel-efficient cars and more importantly, prohibitive permit fees. Drivers will need to pay up to Rs 2.61 lakh to get a permit and Uber has to pay Rs 50 lakh per 1,000 vehicles to continue operations. “The government needs to hear from you: riders should come first. Make your voice heard now—please sign the petition and email your feedback to the Maharashtra government,” Uber’s petition said.

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The petition, signed by commuters, includes a declaration: “I believe that they (government) should think again. These rules will be bad for both riders and drivers.”

Sources said a delegation of drivers may also submit a petition to the transport commissioner, against the stringent clauses. “We understand that existing taxi and auto drivers are feeling the pressure from services like Uber. But the answer is to level the playing field by reducing today’s burdensome regulations, not to introduce rules that will be bad for riders,” an Uber official said.

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