Terms of Service

Last updated: October 13, 2026 • Effective immediately for all users

Legal Status & Platform Classification: Non-Commercial Commuter Cost-Sharing (Not a Taxi Service) GIFT City Carpool is a closed corporate commuter cost-sharing platform designed strictly for verified GIFT City professionals to split fuel and vehicle running expenses on routine office routes (Ahmedabad ↔ GIFT City). The platform operates within the framework of Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2020 governing non-commercial carpooling. Private vehicle hosts do not generate commercial profits, are restricted to a maximum of 2 rides per day, and do not operate as commercial taxi or cab services (no commercial permits or yellow number plates required).

1. Introduction & Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the mobile application, web application, and related services (collectively, the "Platform") operated by GIFT City Carpool ("we", "our", or "us").

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must discontinue using the Platform immediately.

2. Eligibility & Closed Corporate Verification

To access the Platform, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age and legally competent under the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
Be an active employee, consultant, or authorized professional working in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Successfully complete corporate employment verification by submitting a valid corporate email address and company-issued employee ID card. This closed network verification serves as a vital safeguard distinguishing authentic office commuters from commercial operators.
Maintain accurate, true, and up-to-date personal profile and vehicle verification information.

3. Nature and Purpose of the Platform

Our platform serves as a technology facilitator connecting coworkers and verified professionals traveling on their own daily route who wish to share empty seats to offset actual vehicle running expenses, including fuel, vehicle depreciation/maintenance, tolls, and parking costs.

The platform is intended to foster green commuting, reduce corridor traffic congestion between Ahmedabad and GIFT City, and allow commuters to split commute expenses on a strictly non-profit basis.

Our role is strictly limited to facilitating connections and providing the technological infrastructure for users to discover, coordinate, communicate, and track shared commutes with one another. Unless expressly stated otherwise in a separate written agreement, the Platform does not act as a transport operator, common carrier, taxi service, driver employer, vehicle owner, insurer, or guarantor of any ride.

4. Non-Commercial Carpooling & RTO Compliance Safeguards

Under Section 66(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, commercial permits are required only for vehicles carrying passengers for commercial hire or reward. In accordance with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020, genuine ride-sharing where private vehicle owners share their commute costs without generating commercial profit is legally recognized as non-commercial carpooling. To strictly preserve this legal and regulatory standing, the Platform enforces three binding operational controls:

Strict Price Cap (Fuel & Maintenance Offset Only): Token contributions per seat are calculated solely to offset actual vehicle operating costs (~₹2.0 to ₹3.5 per kilometer per seat for a typical ~35 km one-way corridor commute) based on vehicle fuel type (EV, CNG, Diesel, Petrol). Hosts are strictly prohibited from implementing surge fares, setting their own prices, or extracting commercial profits. Total seat contributions collected by a host cannot exceed actual vehicle running costs for the journey.
Enforced Daily Ride Limit (Max 2 Rides/Day): Hosts are system-restricted to scheduling a maximum of two (2) rides per calendar day (one morning journey towards the workplace and one evening journey returning home). This restriction conclusively demonstrates to Regional Transport Offices (RTO) and traffic authorities that the host is a bona fide commuter traveling their personal route, and prevents any use of private vehicles for round-the-clock taxi operations.
Closed Corporate Network: Membership and ride booking are restricted to verified employees of companies located in and around GIFT City. The service is not open to random unvetted street hailing or public commercial passenger transport.

By participating on the Platform, hosts and passengers acknowledge and confirm that their participation constitutes non-commercial, peer-to-peer cost-sharing, and that vehicles utilized on the Platform operate lawfully as private personal motor vehicles (white registration plates) without requirement for commercial permits (yellow plates).

5. No Guarantee of Driver Conduct or Vehicle Condition

The Platform does not guarantee or warrant the behaviour, conduct, character, driving skills, experience, or actions of any driver or passenger.

Although the Platform implements verification procedures and document reviews, these measures do not constitute an absolute guarantee of a user's identity, trustworthiness, driving ability, road conduct, or future behaviour.

The Platform does not inspect, warrant, or guarantee the mechanical condition, roadworthiness, safety equipment, or maintenance of any vehicle used for a ride. Drivers are solely responsible for ensuring that their vehicles comply with all applicable legal requirements under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and relevant State rules, and are maintained in a safe, roadworthy condition.

Passengers are encouraged to exercise their own judgment before boarding a vehicle and may decline or discontinue a ride at any time if they reasonably believe their safety or well-being is at risk, subject to immediate safety considerations.

6. No Insurance or Personal Safety Guarantee

Unless expressly provided in writing, the Platform does not provide, arrange, or guarantee any personal accident insurance, passenger insurance, driver insurance, vehicle insurance, medical insurance, life insurance, or third-party liability insurance for users, drivers, passengers, or vehicles.

Users are responsible for independently assessing their personal insurance requirements and ensuring that any insurance coverage they hold is valid and adequate for their commuting activities.

Each user must exercise reasonable care and take appropriate precautions to protect their personal safety, belongings, and property. Drivers are strictly responsible for maintaining mandatory third-party motor insurance as required by Indian law. Nothing in this section excludes any statutory liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable consumer protection legislation.

7. Accidents, Fraud, Theft, and Incidents Disclaimer

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Platform shall not be responsible or liable for incidents arising from the independent acts or omissions of drivers, passengers, or third parties, including:

Road accidents, vehicular collisions, bodily injuries, or physical damage to vehicles or personal property.
Fraud, misrepresentation, dishonesty, or unauthorized actions by users.
Negligent, reckless, unlawful, or inappropriate behaviour by drivers or passengers.
Disputes, losses, or disagreements arising between users during or after a commute.
Criminal acts committed by any user or third party.
Circumstances, delays, or route diversions beyond the Platform's reasonable control (including weather, traffic congestion, or road closures).

The Platform may, at its discretion and where appropriate or legally required, assist users in reporting incidents or cooperating with law enforcement authorities. Such assistance does not constitute an admission of liability or make the Platform responsible for the incident or its consequences.

8. Traffic Challans, Police Fines, and Legal Violations

Drivers are solely responsible for complying with applicable traffic laws, speed limits, parking regulations, seatbelt mandates, permit conditions, licensing rules, and other legal obligations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Any traffic challans, electronic e-challans, speeding fines, parking penalties, towing charges, or police fines incurred during a commute are the exclusive liability of the user responsible for the violation.

The Platform accepts no responsibility or financial liability for fines, citations, or legal sanctions resulting from any user's unlawful conduct or traffic infractions.

9. Criminal Activities and Cooperation with Authorities

The Platform strictly prohibits the use of its application or services for any criminal, fraudulent, hazardous, or unlawful purpose, including the transport of prohibited substances or contrabands.

Each user is solely responsible for their personal conduct and legal compliance. Where required by law, court order, or formal police investigation, the Platform will cooperate fully with law enforcement and regulatory authorities and may furnish user data in accordance with applicable statutory obligations and privacy laws.

10. Independent Relationship of Users

Drivers and passengers are independent commuters and are not employees, agents, contractors, or representatives of the Platform. Drivers independently determine their travel schedules, pickup locations, routes, and vehicle availability.

The Platform facilitates peer-to-peer expense sharing among coworkers and professionals commuting to GIFT City to reduce traffic congestion and carbon footprints.

11. Token System & Financial Settlement

Commute expense sharing on the Platform is managed via a pre-funded token ledger system:

Passengers purchase tokens through authorized payment gateways (Razorpay).
Tokens are reserved upon ride confirmation and credited to the driver upon verified ride completion.
All token transactions, wallet balances, and refund requests are governed by our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

12. In-App Account Deletion

Users may request permanent account deletion directly through the Profile section in the mobile application. All personally identifiable information (PII) will be permanently erased or anonymized in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Completed ride records and token accounting ledgers will be retained in an anonymized format ("Deleted User") for driver reconciliation and statutory tax compliance.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, the Platform, its founders, directors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, data, personal injury, or property damage, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Platform.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts any consumer rights, statutory warranties, or liabilities that cannot lawfully be disclaimed under applicable Indian law.

14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms or the Platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Gandhinagar / Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

15. Contact & Support

For questions or assistance regarding these Terms, please contact:

GIFT City Carpool Support Team
Email: giftcitycarpool@gmail.com