Benagaluru,07 September (H.S.): Karnataka's Transport Department has made fare meters compulsory for all yellow-board taxis, including cabs operated through app-based aggregators, to curb excessive and inconsistent charges imposed on passengers.

The directive, issued by the Transport Commissioner, will apply across the state, with particular focus on Bengaluru, where commuters have repeatedly complained of sharp fare increases during rush hours and other periods of high demand.

Under the new order, every commercial cab bearing a yellow registration board must be fitted with an approved fare meter. The requirement will cover independently operated taxis and vehicles attached to aggregator platforms.

The department has also linked compliance with key regulatory procedures. Fare meters will now be mandatory when a new cab is registered and when an existing vehicle seeks renewal of its fitness certificate. Authorities have decided that fitness certificates should not be renewed for taxis without the prescribed meter.

The move follows widespread allegations that cab aggregators and some vehicle owners have been charging passengers arbitrarily, particularly during peak hours. Commuters have complained that fares often rise according to demand, leaving them with little choice when public transport is crowded or unavailable.

The state had earlier introduced a One City, One Fare framework to bring uniformity to taxi pricing and protect passengers from unpredictable charges. However, transport officials found that the system was not being properly followed and operators continued to violate the prescribed fare structure.

The latest directive is intended to strengthen enforcement and establish a transparent basis for calculating taxi fares. By tying meter installation to registration and fitness certification, the department hopes to ensure wider compliance among cab owners and aggregator-linked vehicles.

Officials expect the measure to reduce disputes between drivers and passengers and make taxi pricing more predictable. The order also signals stricter scrutiny of app-based operators and commercial taxis that fail to follow state fare regulations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman