The Maharashtra govt finally came out with a GR on Tuesday on the aggregator policy for cab services such as Ola and Uber and mentioned penalty charges for trip cancellations by drivers and riders.

The policy, which has got cabinet nod, stated, "To discourage unnecessary trip cancellations and ensure a smooth experience for stakeholders, penalties should be imposed on both drivers and passengers for cancellations. If a driver cancels a booking after accepting it on the app, a penalty of 10% of the total fare or ₹100, whichever is lower, will be imposed and credited to the customer's account. If a passenger cancels a trip without a valid reason after booking it on the app, a penalty of 5% of the total fare or ₹50, whichever is lower, will be imposed and credited to the driver's account."

The policy also defined fares and distances, with limits set for higher- and lower-end fares. The GR said, "The rates set by the Regional Transport Authority for auto-rickshaws/cabs will be the base rates. To prevent unfair competition for metered taxis, the discount rate during low-demand periods should be limited to 25% of the fare. During high-demand periods, the rate should not exceed 1.5 times the base rate. The minimum trip distance should be 3 km. The drivers should receive at least 80% of the total fare."

The GR stated, "A mechanism should be in place for the prompt resolution of issues faced by passengers and drivers. The aggregator must have an app/website that meets safety standards for app-based vehicles in Maharashtra. Services should be operated through this app/website. Real-time GPS tracking of vehicles, emergency contact numbers, and driver background checks should be conducted."

It mentioned that drivers must compulsorily undergo training at recognised institutions when renewing their driving licenses. Insurance should be available for drivers and passengers. The policy also encourages transition to electric vehicles (EVs). "As part of the move towards sustainable energy, aggregators should gradually incorporate EVs into their fleet," it stated.