App-based cab aggregators Ola and Uber will not resort to surge pricing during the 12-day odd-even road rationing scheme starting from November 4 in the national capital. Ola issued a statement, saying that it will extend its support to the Delhi government's initiative to curb pollution. The implementation of the odd-even scheme offers an opportunity to further unlock the potential of shared mobility.
"Continuing our efforts to provide commuters with an optimum and seamless experience, we will have no peak pricing on rides booked on the Ola platform during the odd-even period. We encourage all driver-partners, passengers, and citizens to participate and make the third edition of the scheme, a success," Arun Srinivas, the chief sales and marketing officer at Ola, said.
Last month, Uber had announced to deactivate surge pricing during the implementation of the odd-even scheme in the national capital. "We want to do our part in ensuring movement around the city is easy during the odd-even phase and have decided to deactivate dynamic pricing for the duration. We wholeheartedly support Delhi government's move and wish it success," an Uber spokesperson told PTI last month.
The odd-even scheme
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on September 13, announced that the state government's odd-even scheme would be implemented in New Delhi from November 4 to 15. The odd-even scheme, to tackle the rising menace of pollution in Delhi, was introduced in 2016.
This is a much-needed step to reduce pollution and help reduce congestion in the capital, the spokesperson had said. CM Kejriwal had said that surge pricing would not be applied by app-based cabs during the odd-even scheme. According to the Delhi government, advisories have also been issued to autorickshaws and e-rickshaws to avoid over-charging from commuters.
An Ola spokesperson said the company will also work closely with its driver-partners to ensure maximum availability of vehicles during peak hours as well as during the staggered office timings.
Odd and even-numbered (last digit of registration number) vehicles ply on alternate days of the scheme. The government has not exempted CNG-driven private vehicles from odd-even scheme this time. It has, however, exempted two-wheelers that form around 88 per cent of total registered vehicles plying on the city roads.
