Maharashtra govt takes cognisance of aggregated cab drivers arm-twisting customers for tips

| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Taking cognisance of the cab aggregators’ arm-twisting tactics for forcibly extracting tips from customers, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday (June 11, 2026) directed the transport commissioner to take action against the responsible app-based taxi companies. He also announced that a new aggregator policy for this sector will be introduced soon.“The Minister has taken immediate cognisance of the demand raised by Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde regarding incidents involving app-based taxi and ride-hailing services. These incidents include drivers forcibly demanding tips from passengers, compelling them to pay additional amounts, and financially exploiting passengers by taking advantage of their difficulties,” an official said.Over the past few days, incidents of drivers demanding additional tips or extra payments after accepting rides, and cancelling the trips if such payments were not made, were being reported, the officials said. “It caused mental distress to passengers. In response to these growing concerns, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde expressed strong displeasure through social media and urged the state government to intervene immediately,” Shrikant Shinde’s party member said.Mr. Sarnaik said that the Transport Department will implement measures to curb arbitrary practices by app-based taxi and ride-hailing companies. “It is the right of the customers to receive transparent, fair, and safe services. Holding passengers hostage during times of need, exploiting their difficulties for financial gain, and forcing them to pay additional charges constitute a serious violation of consumer rights. Such conduct is not merely an unethical business practice but is akin to holding customers to ransom,” Mr. Shinde said. Published - June 12, 2026 03:55 am IST