ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) Thursday said it was working on a proposed draft to streamline the app-based taxi services that created a rift among traditional taxi drivers and new online facilities.
Talking to the state-run news agency, ITA Secretary Jawad Muzafar said after many rounds of consultations with taxi drivers and ridesharing services (Careem & Uber etc), ITA had put some recommendations to streamline the affairs.
He said a checklist, to cover legal and technical loopholes to bring online services into mainstream, was shared for consultation with the concerned departments.
Those recommendations, Jawad informed, include fitness certificate to be issued to the private cars working for the ridesharing services by Motor Vehicle Examiner (MVE), ITA.
These facilities would also be made to ensure route permits to ply, he said.
The app-based services would also be forced to display customized stickers on their vehicles’ front and back screens.
“We would issue a fares list to the App-based services which they have to follow strictly,” he said and added the passengers’’ insurance would also be compulsory for their safety.
“We had also received a proposal from Director Excise and Taxation Department that app-based vehicles’ status should be converted from private to commercial”, Secretary ITA informed.
“People are using our services because of cheap fares and quality facilities offered by our company” Awais Khan a driver of an online service Careem remarked.
He said traditional taxi drivers were no more over competitors and trying to create hurdles. They must adopt new techniques to remain in the market, he said.
A traditional taxi driver Raja Basharat however has different version and said they were paying heavy taxes over the years and demand other services be dealt in the same kind to create a competitive environment.
