Central government bans pre-trip tipping on Ola, Uber, and other cab booking apps

New Delhi: The central government has put a stop to the practice of asking for tips before a ride begins on cab and auto-booking apps, including popular services like Ola and Uber. The issue had been raised by users with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Prahlad Joshi, a few months ago.

Following this, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) amended the regulations for these apps based on recommendations from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).

Under the new directive, passengers will no longer be prompted for tips before their journey starts. Instead, the option to tip the driver will only be available after the ride has concluded.

Apps are also required to ensure that the entire fare is paid to the driver without deductions for tips, which now must be entirely voluntary. The government has instructed both state and central administrations to enforce these new regulations.

In addition to the tipping ban, the government has also mandated a crucial safety feature for female passengers. To ensure women’s safety, the apps are now required to provide an option for “mandatory female drivers” for women travelers.

This new order aims to enhance transparency, fairness, and safety within the app-based transportation system. The changes are expected to be implemented across India to ensure that passengers have a safer and more comfortable experience while using ride-hailing services.

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