Now, when booking a cab ride through apps like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, you will get the option to choose a driver of the same gender. Additionally, after the trip is completed, passengers will also be able to tip the driver. The full amount of this tip will go to the driver. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued new rules for cab aggregator companies by amending the ‘Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025’. The aim is to enhance passenger safety. Specifically, there will be a facility for female passengers to choose a female driver. ‘Same Gender’ driver feature to appear on app According to the new rule, all cab aggregators will have to include a gender selection feature in their app. The rule states that the app should have a facility allowing passengers to travel with a driver of their own gender, if available. However, this option will depend on availability. Currently, the number of female drivers in the country is less than 5% Industry experts say that implementing the government’s decision could be challenging. An official associated with cab aggregator platforms stated that currently, the share of women among total cab drivers across the country is less than 5%. In such a situation, the option of choosing a same-gender driver does not seem practical. This will affect the nature of on-demand service. Due to the shortage of female drivers, waiting times during bookings could significantly increase, especially late at night when demand is high and drivers are less available. Uber, Ola, and Rapido declined to comment on this. 100% of the tip money will go to the driver The government has also made tipping rules transparent. Now passengers will be able to tip the driver voluntarily, but there will be some conditions for this. Short trips will be cheaper, no charge for dead mileage The new guidelines have also curbed dynamic pricing. Companies will be able to charge 50% less than the base fare, but ‘surge pricing’ cannot be more than double the base fare during peak hours. This means if the fare from your home to the office is 50 rupees, they cannot charge more than 100 rupees during peak hours. Additionally, ‘dead mileage’ (the cost of the driver reaching the pickup point) cannot be charged from passengers. A limited charge can only be taken if the distance is less than 3 kilometers. Companies’ licenses may also be revoked for violating the rules.
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