Prepaid cab at CST after polls

The long-delayed prepaid taxi service will finally go operational at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) post elections, hopefully putting an end to several cab-drivers’ routine practice of fleecing outstation passengers.

A senior official from the transport department said the deadlock between the Central Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Tardeo and Central Railway (CR), Mumbai division, had been resolved recently, and most of the hurdles that had delayed the service had been removed.

“The railway officials were insisting that the prepaid booth be set up near platform 18 on the entrance closer to the P D’ Mello road, which is used by relatively fewer people. This would have discouraged most outstation commuters from using the service, since it’s a long walk, especially if you have luggage,” he said.

“We persisted with the officials and ensured that the location should be what wasfixed earlier — near the main entrance. Apparently, their new general manager had opposed the location before. Now, they have accepted it,” the official said.

A senior CR official confirmed that the location had indeed been finalised, and necessary facilities such as a prepaid booth, power connection and space had been allocated.

“Now the ball is in their (transport department’s) court. They have to appoint the operator of the prepaid booth and begin the service,” stated the official.

Sources informed DNA that the service provider was likely to be the Swabhimaan Sanghatna or Taxi Chalak Malak Sena. The service is most likely to be inaugurated soon after the elections. AK Tiwari, general secretary of Swabhimaan Sanghatna, said, “We have been short-listed by the department, but have not received any word about the date.”