Taxis to be cheaper than autos -Delhi to usher in aam aadmi radio taxis at Rs 10 per km-2/8/10

02/08/2010

Taxis to be cheaper than autos

Delhi to usher in aam aadmi radio taxis at Rs 10 per km



Delhi: The recent increase in auto fares might have pinched pockets, but the Delhi Transport Department's initiative to provide Economy Radio Taxis at Rs 10 per km will give commuters in the Capital more options.

In an effort to create healthy competition among radio taxi operators, the Delhi government has in a Bhagidari initiative invited applications from group as well as individual radio taxi operators. Under the Economy Radio Taxi Scheme, group or individual operators who have commercial vehicles with engine capacity above 750cc and Bharat Stage IV emission norms will be eligible for permits. However, the prescribed meter rate will be Rs 10 per km for non-air conditioned cabs and Rs 12 for air-conditioned ones.



"The idea is to strengthen the para-transit and short-haul transport system in the city. There are people who cannot afford to pay the high rates of radio taxis prevalent now. This new fleet will offer taxi services at much cheaper rates," Principal Secretary and Transport Commissioner R K Verma told Newsline.

At present, around 3,000 radio taxis operate in the city. Though the Transport Department expected the number to cross 5,000 by the Commonwealth Games it is most likely that only 4,000 taxis will be available even before the event, officials said.



While group operators will be allowed to set up private call centres, the Transport Department has asked Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) to work on a separate call centre for individual operators joining the scheme.

Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said, "This initiative will help unemployed youth make a livelihood as they can buy a cab, register with us and operate through the government call centre. We decided to provide cheaper radio taxis right when we agreed to the auto fare hike."



"Earlier only vehicles with over 1000cc capacity, which have higher maintenance costs, were allowed to operate as radio taxis. But with these smaller cars coming in the rates will also become cheaper and more affordable for the common man," the minister added.

So far five big operators have approached the government to run the taxi service at cheaper rates, said the minister. "The new fleet is most likely to have Maruti Omni and Alto cars as they are cheaper and more fuel efficient. People will have more options now. While this is for those who are looking for cheaper transport options, we have yet another scheme coming up that will provide high-end taxis," Lovely added.



Though the move is not likely to affect radio taxi operators who provide bigger cars catering to a higher end clientele, the scheme might give black and yellow taxis and autos a run for their money. Auto and government-run taxi union members reacted to the scheme saying that such competition will affect auto drivers and taxis. They claimed the quality of service even in such a scheme is most likely to be poor.

Source: Indian Express



Delhi: The recent increase in auto fares might have pinched pockets, but the Delhi Transport Department's initiative to provide Economy Radio Taxis at Rs 10 per km will give commuters in the Capital more options.

In an effort to create healthy competition among radio taxi operators, the Delhi government has in a Bhagidari initiative invited applications from group as well as individual radio taxi operators. Under the Economy Radio Taxi Scheme, group or individual operators who have commercial vehicles with engine capacity above 750cc and Bharat Stage IV emission norms will be eligible for permits. However, the prescribed meter rate will be Rs 10 per km for non-air conditioned cabs and Rs 12 for air-conditioned ones.



"The idea is to strengthen the para-transit and short-haul transport system in the city. There are people who cannot afford to pay the high rates of radio taxis prevalent now. This new fleet will offer taxi services at much cheaper rates," Principal Secretary and Transport Commissioner R K Verma told Newsline.

At present, around 3,000 radio taxis operate in the city. Though the Transport Department expected the number to cross 5,000 by the Commonwealth Games it is most likely that only 4,000 taxis will be available even before the event, officials said.



While group operators will be allowed to set up private call centres, the Transport Department has asked Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) to work on a separate call centre for individual operators joining the scheme.

Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said, "This initiative will help unemployed youth make a livelihood as they can buy a cab, register with us and operate through the government call centre. We decided to provide cheaper radio taxis right when we agreed to the auto fare hike."



"Earlier only vehicles with over 1000cc capacity, which have higher maintenance costs, were allowed to operate as radio taxis. But with these smaller cars coming in the rates will also become cheaper and more affordable for the common man," the minister added.

So far five big operators have approached the government to run the taxi service at cheaper rates, said the minister. "The new fleet is most likely to have Maruti Omni and Alto cars as they are cheaper and more fuel efficient. People will have more options now. While this is for those who are looking for cheaper transport options, we have yet another scheme coming up that will provide high-end taxis," Lovely added.



Though the move is not likely to affect radio taxi operators who provide bigger cars catering to a higher end clientele, the scheme might give black and yellow taxis and autos a run for their money. Auto and government-run taxi union members reacted to the scheme saying that such competition will affect auto drivers and taxis. They claimed the quality of service even in such a scheme is most likely to be poor.

Source: Indian Express