No Web-Based Taxi Service has License to Operate in AP: Govt

In the wake of rape of a woman passenger by allegedly by a cabbie contracted by the US-based Uber, Andhra Pradesh government today said no web-based taxi service can operate in the state as it had not given a license to any such operator.

"Government of Andhra Pradesh has not given licence to any web-based taxi service," transport commissioner G Anantha Ramu said. An advisory from the Centre to the states had said the authorities should ensure that operation of such services were stopped and the people may be advised not to hire any transport service provided by the web-based companies which are not licenced, he said.

"Hence, all the web-based taxi service providers which are not licenced are banned in AP," Ramu said. The officials at the district level had been directed to conduct regular inspections to find out if taxis operating in their area were violating the Motor Vehicle Act and Motor Vehicle Rules, he said.

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People should not hire a taxi from any such web-based companies which are not licenced by the government, the transport commissioner added. Telangana transport department has already announced that Uber has no permission to operate in the state, and passengers should stay away from it and cab drivers should not be associated with it.

Source: PTI