Ola, Uber, Others to Meet Government Over Unfair Trade Practices

The authorities has known as a gathering of cab aggregators like Ola and Uber on Tuesday to focus on their insurance policies associated to fare calculation, surge pricing, experience cancellations and measures taken by them for knowledge safety of consumers, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh stated on Monday. The assembly has been known as amid rise in shopper complaints of alleged unfair commerce practices by these platforms, together with experience cancellation coverage as drivers drive prospects to cancel journeys after accepting bookings, which ends up in prospects paying cancellation penalties.

“We have sought info from cab aggregators how they deal with cancellation expenses and surge pricing and the way they calculate fare,” Singh stated whereas talking on the sidelines of an occasion organised by the ministry.

He additional stated,”We have requested why the fees to go from level A to level B are completely different for 2 completely different individuals.” The ministry would additionally like to know whether or not these experience hailing apps have taken satisfactory measures to safeguard shopper knowledge on their platforms.

“We have requested for info. We will focus on with them and based mostly on the result we’ll take additional motion,” the secretary stated.

Last week, Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare stated, “We have acquired a number of complaints from shoppers concerning the cancellation and pricing coverage of cab aggregators. The variety of complaints could be very excessive and subsequently now we have known as the cab aggregators for clarification of their insurance policies.” Citing a couple of examples, Khare stated the regulator has acquired many complaints of alleged unfair commerce practices, together with cab drivers forcing shoppers to cancel a visit and bear a penalty because the drivers are not looking for to settle for the experience for no matter purpose.

Khare additional stated present shoppers are being charged excessive charges for a experience, whereas new customers are lured with decrease expenses for a similar distance.

“It seems that cab aggregators are utilizing algorithms to lure new prospects, placing outdated prospects at drawback. This is an unfair apply,” she added.

Against this backdrop, Khare stated the regulator would love to perceive their algorithms and different insurance policies adopted for working as cab aggregators within the nation.

Nitish Bhushan, Head of Central Operations, Uber India and South Asia, supplied the next assertion to Gadgets 360 in response to the event:

We are engaged with the Department of Consumer Affairs and deeply respect the suggestions supplied by them and can proceed to present our inputs. We try to be the platform of selection for riders and drivers alike and proceed to put money into know-how and buyer help to ship a superb expertise for them. We are dedicated to frequently elevating the bar – for ourselves, our business, and most significantly for the individuals who use our providers.