Online taxi services in Lahore have been updated with new security measures putting an end to taxi drivers with criminal records.
The change is part of a series of steps taken to improve safety of passengers and improve regulation of ride-hailing in the city.
The details shared on Wednesday indicated that all drivers will now be required to have a police character certificate.
This is according to a formal agreement between the police and online taxi companies.
The new system allows the police to verify the entire information of registered drivers along with their records more effectively under the new framework.
The officials said that police verification would be needed before any new driver can be recruited on these platforms to make sure that only those with clean backgrounds will be recruited.
Taxi companies have also been ordered to adhere to the security policy as per the changes made, and the same is currently being enforced.
In another development, the Sindh cabinet has decided to offer tax relief to bike taxi drivers including those operating on platforms like Bykea and InDrive.
During a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the Chief Minister’s House, the decision was taken and its aimed to provide support to the poor riders and to lessen their financial burden.
The reduction in the motorcycle ride services tax in Sindh is part of the relief package.
The tax on the net fares collected by passengers has been cut from 5 per cent to 2 pe rcent.
This tax cut will cost the government about Rs120 million per year.
In addition, welfare and development and reform projects for a sum exceeding Rs30 billion were also approved during the meeting.
Also read: Big relief announced for bike taxi riders in Sindh
