Want a Cab Faster? No More “Pay Extra for Quick Booking”! Government Orders Ola, Uber & Other Aggregators to Change App Rules

If you book a cab through apps such as Ola, Uber, Rapido or other ride-hailing platforms, you may soon notice a major change in the booking process. The government has directed cab aggregators to stop displaying options that encourage passengers to pay an advance tip or extra money before the booking is completed.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued an advisory on August 11, asking motor vehicle aggregators to immediately review their mobile applications and digital platforms.

According to the ministry, options that encourage passengers to offer a tip or make an additional payment during the booking process could put unnecessary pressure on customers. The government believes that passengers should be able to book a cab at the applicable fare without feeling that they need to pay extra to improve their chances of getting a ride quickly.

The advisory focuses on the design and functionality of cab-booking apps. Platforms have been asked to ensure that their interfaces do not create an impression that paying an additional amount is necessary to receive faster or better service.

This means features such as advance tipping prompts or prominent extra-payment options shown before a ride is confirmed could face changes.

Importantly, the move does not mean passengers are prohibited from tipping drivers. The issue is specifically about encouraging or prompting passengers to make additional payments before the booking is completed.

The government's objective is to make the cab-booking process more transparent and ensure that customers can make booking decisions without being subjected to pressure for additional payments.

For passengers, the change could mean a simpler booking experience where the basic fare remains the primary payment consideration, rather than being accompanied by prompts suggesting that an additional tip could help secure a ride faster.

Cab aggregators will now have to review their app interfaces and make the required changes in line with the ministry's advisory.