Ola and Uber Face Tribunal Hearing Over Operating Licenses in Pune, Now On July 8 

In Pune, the future of ride-hailing giants Ola and Uber hangs in the balance as they await a crucial decision on their operating licenses. A recent hearing at the State Appellate Tribunal (SAT) addressed the companies’ appeals after their applications were rejected by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

Initially, the RTA, chaired by Suhas Diwase, scrutinized the companies’ submissions against the Motor Vehicles Aggregators Guidelines, finding them falling short of required standards. This led to the RTA’s decision to deny Uber and Ola’s applications, prompting them to seek recourse with the SAT.

The tribunal session on Tuesday, crucial for determining the fate of these services in Pune, saw the absence of a judicial representative but included stakeholders like company representatives, drivers’ unions, and the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO). Due to this absence, the hearing date has been pushed to July 8.

The dispute stems from Uber and Ola’s operations in Pune without proper licenses for a decade, despite the RTA’s attempt to regulate them with updated taxi fares earlier this year. The RTA had increased rates for air-conditioned taxis, a move that was not adhered to by the ride-hailing firms.

Looking ahead, the next SAT hearing on July 8 will be crucial, where a decision will be made whether to grant Ola and Uber the permission to continue operating in the city. Until then, the future of these services remains uncertain, pending the tribunal’s decision.

Therefore, the ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities of regulating app-based transportation services in Pune, balancing the interests of authorities, drivers, and the companies themselves.