A day after Union Client Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi pulled up ride-hailing apps over the advance tipping characteristic, Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido, instructed The Indian Categorical on Friday that the bike taxi aggregator doesn’t have interaction in tipping however permits pricing flexibility as a characteristic.
“In contrast to different apps, Rapido is a SaaS based mostly firm, and we don’t cost commissions, however subscription charges. We’re a legion mannequin the place pricing is clear, negotiated between shoppers and drivers, and never influenced by us. It’s not tipping—tipping implies a constructive quantity post-service, however right here prospects can enhance or lower the worth earlier than the trip, and drivers can settle for or reject,” he mentioned.
Rapido additionally instructed The Indian Categorical that no discover has been served by the Central Client Safety Authority (CCPA), which has at the moment served discover solely to Uber over advance tipping. Joshi has directed the CCPA to additionally probe different ride-hailing apps, terming advance tipping as “unethical and exploitative” following a number of complaints from customers.
“The app instantly provides prospects the choice to regulate the worth—up or down—upon reserving. It’s not a nudge to pay extra for faster service, however a characteristic for pricing flexibility. It’s not about tipping however about giving prospects management over the fare, which drivers can settle for or reject,” Sanka argued.
The Rapido co-founder additionally acknowledged that the choice to regulate pricing is a characteristic and never a mandate. “Clients can stick with the displayed value, enhance it, lower it, or cancel. It’s about transparency and selection in a SaaS mannequin, the place your entire fare goes to the motive force,” he mentioned.
Saravanan, a buyer, mentioned, “When utilizing Rapido, if the provided tip is declined, the app prompts customers to extend it a second time. This shift from bargaining to persistent haggling creates a irritating expertise, pressuring customers to pay greater than initially supposed.”
Prajna Hebbar, one other buyer, mentioned, “Tipping earlier than the journey is certainly exploitative. If the motive force can take me for Rs 50, why ought to I pay additional Rs 20 to get a trip? That is nothing however arm-twisting the buyer, which is unethical.”
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Niranjanaradhya N, CEO of Model Pleasure Mobility Pvt Ltd, that operates Nagara, one other SaaS based mostly platform that gives auto and cab companies, mentioned, “Tip Earlier than Journey is not only unethical — it’s unfair. A trip mustn’t start with an additional cost or an invisible obligation. But at this time’s city mobility techniques typically burden the client and disrespect the dignity {of professional} drivers.”
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