Government Resolution states that a passenger can avail AC facility in black-and-yellow taxis by paying 20 per cent more on the total fare
In a move that will enable more commuters to beat the heat this summer, the state home department on Tuesday issued a Government Resolution (GR) stating that a passenger can now avail air conditioning (AC) facility in kaali-peeli (black-and-yellow) taxis by paying 20 per cent more on the total fare. The move is also likely to give a new lease of life to the kaali-peeli taxis, which had been facing tough competition from cab aggregators.
In the major cities of the state, non-AC black-and-yellow taxis and AC cool cabs are operational. "Currently, in the state and Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), there has been large scale manufacturing of AC vehicles by motor car manufacturers. Also, most of the kaali-peeli taxis have an AC system installed, which remain unused. A proposal, under consideration of the state government, stated that if the passenger asks the driver to switch on the AC in a taxi that has an AC system, then the driver can charge an extra fare and provide the AC facility," said a home department official.
"A passenger will now be able to avail the AC facility in taxis by paying 20 per cent more on the total fare. Taxis that have an AC installed in their vehicles need to put up a red colour sticker with the letters AC on the windscreen," the official said.
The state government has asked the state and regional transport authorities to implement this order with immediate effect.
"Until now, a lot of people used to depend on the cab aggregators and cool cabs for AC rides. Normally, one has to wait for these cabs longer. However, now, the usual black-and-yellow cabs that one hails on the road will also have an option for an AC ride, that too at a reasonable additional charge. It is a boon for South-Mumbaikars where kaali-peeli taxis are readily available than cab aggregators," said Pydhonie resident, Suhail Ansari.
"It is a great decision as it will allow black-and-yellow taxis to fight aggregator cabs on an even keel. The city now has anything between 3000-4000 black-yellow taxis that have air-conditioning," said AL Quadros, chief of the Mumbai Taximen's Union.
Tagging it
Taxis that have an air conditioning installed in their vehicles will have to put up a red colour sticker with the letters 'AC' on the windscreen of their vehicles
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