Rajasthan launches ride-hailing policy with uniform fares, driver insurance, panic alerts, female driver options, and strict compliance rules.

In order to harmonize pricing throughout the state, the government will now determine ride fares under the new regulations. Eighty percent of the total fare will be paid to vehicle owners, with the remaining twenty percent going to the aggregator businesses. The policy also imposes fines for infractions, with drivers or passengers who cancel a journey without a good cause facing fines of up to Rs 100.

The goal of the policy is to improve the legal framework governing gig workers who operate vehicles for ride-hailing services. It requires businesses to have an active call center around-the-clock and contains rules for a safer working environment. In the event of an emergency, a panic warning will be transmitted straight to the police and the control room, and the contact center will allow passengers to exchange real-time whereabouts while traveling.

According to Joint Government Secretary and Additional Transport Commissioner O.P. Bunkar, “the new policy aims to ensure safety, transparency, and fair compensation for all parties involved, while also bringing order to the ride-hailing sector.”

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The state government will also punish non-compliant businesses more severely, which is a big step. A company’s license may be suspended for a maximum of three months if it violates the rules; if violations occur repeatedly, the license may be revoked permanently. In order to supervise operations, aggregator businesses are required to establish offices in Rajasthan and designate an approved appliance officer.

The policy also stipulates that drivers must have health and accident insurance, with a minimum of Rs 5 lakh for health insurance and Rs 10 lakh for accident insurance. Businesses will be in charge of making sure that no vehicle is older than eight years and of giving drivers annual refresher training.

Additionally, the new policy allows female passengers to request a female driver for their ride. Each business will designate a dedicated grievance officer to handle consumer concerns and guarantee prompt resolution.

By promoting increased safety and dependability in the ride-hailing sector, these measures seek to strike a balance between the interests of passengers, gig workers, and car owners.