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New Delhi: Enhanced security features for passengers that include a 24×7 control room to track and monitor the movement of drivers, integration of panic buttons with enforcement agencies and corrective measures against drivers being awarded a rating less than three stars in more than 25% of the rides undertaken in a month are the highlights of the aggregator policy approved by CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday.
The file on Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023 has now been sent to the LG’s office and will be notified after his approval.
The entire fleet of aggregators, old and new, have to complete the shift to EVs by April 1, 2030. The policy also paves the way for giving legal status to bike taxis in Delhi with a set of guidelines.
Operators will need licence in 90 days
Significantly, only electric bike taxis shall be registered as a motorcycle for taxis, will need an insurance cover for passengers and drivers, and the driver will need to have a passenger service vehicle badge issued by the transport department.
In a fleet of four-wheelers, 5% should be electric vehicles (EVs) in six months, 50% in three years and 100% in five years. In fact, the commercial vehicle fleets of all aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce entities will have to undergo a phased conversion to electric mobility by 2030.
“With this, Delhi has become the first state in India, and among very few cities globally, to mandate a time-bound transition of commercial vehicle fleets of aggregators, delivery service providers and e-commerce entities to zero-emission electric vehicles,” said Kejriwal.
“We firmly believe that this scheme holds the potential of not only safeguarding our environment but, more significantly, enhancing the well-being of the citizens of Delhi,” said Delhi’s transport minister, Kailash Gahlot.
The scheme will cover those with 25 or more motor vehicles (two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers, excluding buses) in their fleet and those who use a digital intermediary, such as an app or web portal to connect with consumers for their services.
All existing and new operators must obtain a licence within 90 days of the scheme being notified or before commencing operations. The licence will be valid for five years with an annual fee to be paid but electric vehicles will be exempted. A 50% rebate will be given to vehicles that are less than two years old.
The scheme has some stringent provisions for enforcing compliance with violations attracting monetary penalties, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 100,000 in each instance.
The policy also lays down that aggregators should provide sufficient accessible cars for persons with disabilities.
It also calls for inclusion of a feature enabling the rider to share the live location and status of his/her ride. The aggregator is required to have an emergency number on the app to report any concern or harassment during a ride to the enforcement authorities.
