Why is the Kerala government launching its own app-based taxi service? How is it different from existing private companies?
Why is the Kerala government launching its own app-based taxi service? How is it different from existing private companies?
the story So Far: Kerala is soft State Government-owned country’s first online taxi service ‘Kerala Savari’ launchedTo ensure fair and decent service to the passengers along with fair remuneration to the auto-taxi staff. Run by the Motor Workers Welfare Board under the aegis of the Labor Department, Kerala Savari ensures safe travel for the public at ‘Govt approved fares’ without any ‘surge pricing’. The ‘Kerala Savari’ app will soon be made available to the public on the online platform as it is under the scanner of Google.
Why has the state government decided to launch this initiative?
The alleged unfair trade practices and violation of consumer rights by private app-based cab aggregators is a major concern for governments. recently, The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) had issued notices to cab aggregators Ola and Uber. For unfair trade practices and violation of consumer rights. Passengers often complain about lack of services, including overcharging during peak hours, unprofessional behavior on the part of drivers, lack of proper response from customer support and refusal to accept the ride booked by the cab driver. Despite this, undue recovery of cancellation fee is involved. passengers etc.
Read also: Bengaluru travelers tired of ‘being taken for a ride’
essence
Kerala has soft launched ‘Kerala Savari’ to ensure good service to the passengers with reasonable remuneration to the auto-taxi staff. It is administered by the Motor Workers Welfare Board under the aegis of the Labor Department.
Kerala Savari charges only 8% service charge in addition to the rate fixed by the government. Out of the 8% service charge, 6% will go to the technical partner and the remaining 2% for the implementation of the scheme and providing promotional incentives to the passengers and drivers.
Kerala Savari is a secure and reliable online service for women, children and senior citizens. A Police Clearance Certificate is mandatory for drivers joining the scheme in addition to the proper training required.
It is against this backdrop that the Kerala government has decided to come up with an app-based platform to provide auto-taxi service to the public. Since private companies are purely focused on making profit, the online taxi service controlled by the government is a service-oriented scheme – a win-win situation for both passengers and taxi-auto drivers and owners.
What are the highlights of ‘Kerala Savari’?
Private cab aggregators used to kill with surge pricing during peak hours or in rainy conditions. Travelers were often forced to pay through their nose during these critical times. But there will be no fluctuation in fares on Kerala Savari irrespective of day or night or rain.
When private app-based taxi companies increase the charges for services by two to three times during emergencies, neither the passengers nor the workers get the benefit. but Kerala Savari charges only 8% service charge in addition to the rate fixed by the governmentWhereas private cab aggregators charge 20 to 30% service charge. The taxi owner will get an approved fare on ‘Kerala Savari’, while cab owners working for private online companies will often get a fare that is less than the rate approved by the government.
In addition, out of the 8% service fee collected from passengers, 6% will go to the technical partner, and the remaining 2% will go towards the implementation of the scheme and providing incentives to passengers and drivers. The government will not get any benefit from this scheme. For example, if the passenger has covered the specified distance for ₹100, the total fare including service charges will be ₹108. The car owner will get ₹100 and the remaining ₹8 will be used to run the facility and provide incentives to passengers and drivers. In the case of online private cab aggregators, the car owner would get less than ₹100 even though he covered the distance covered for the same fare band. In addition, they will charge a service fee of over 20%.
What are the security features of ‘Kerala Savari’?
One of the major issues faced with app-based taxi services is the safety of the passengers. Kerala Savari is claimed as a secure and reliable online service for women, children and senior citizens. This point has been given importance in app designing and driver registration. A Police Clearance Certificate is mandatory for drivers joining the scheme in addition to the proper training required.
Panic button system has been introduced in the app. This button can be pressed in the event of a car accident or any other danger. One can do it completely in private. The passenger will not panic if the driver presses the panic button and the same happens when the passenger presses the panic button. When one presses the button, there is an option to select police, fire and motor vehicle department numbers. If you are in such a dangerous situation that you cannot make a choice, press the button for a few seconds and you will be directly connected to the police control room.
It has also been decided to install GPS in vehicles at concessional rates. It will be implemented in a phased manner. A 24-hour call center has been prepared for this. A state-of-the-art call center is functioning in the district office of Motor Workers Welfare Board. The call center works in such a way that all service related problems can be resolved immediately.
Will the government’s new initiative end the monopoly of private cab aggregators?
There are more than five lakh autorickshaws and one lakh cabs in Kerala. The state government plans to bring all the auto-taxi employees engaged in this sector under the new platform. Since smartphone literacy is high in Kerala, the state is expected to bring them under the scheme in a short span of time. Apart from this, the Kerala government has also decided to provide fuel, insurance and tire subsidies for future vehicle owners and has started talks with major companies in this regard. After evaluation of the first phase of the project in Thiruvananthapuram, it will be expanded to the entire state in a phased manner. Kerala Savari is expected to reach Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur municipal limits within a month.