Now Reading: Govt directs cab aggregators to remove advance tipping prompts
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Govt directs cab aggregators to remove advance tipping prompts
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has ordered all ride-hailing and motor vehicle aggregators to remove features that prompt passengers to tip drivers before a trip is completed. In an…
The Story in Brief
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has ordered all ride-hailing and motor vehicle aggregators to remove features that prompt passengers to tip drivers before a trip is completed. In an August 11 letter, MoRTH said tipping must be “entirely voluntary” and cannot be linked to faster bookings or better service. The directive cites Clause 14.15 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which allows tipping only after a journey ends. The full tip amount must go to the driver, with no deductions by the aggregator. The Ministry also warned that such pre-ride prompts could violate the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as they may be misleading or manipulative.
The Indian Opinion
Some call this an overreach, others a necessary check on manipulative interfaces. The truth is that tipping before a ride is not a gratuity but a bribe for faster service, and the 2025 guidelines sensibly draw that line. Drivers may fear losing income, but the rule ensures tips remain genuine rewards, not coercive payments. The real test will be whether aggregators try to bypass the spirit of the rule with new prompts like ‘priority booking fees’ that mimic advance tipping.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
