The long-delayed prepaid taxi scheme, expected to put an end to the fleecing of passengers outside railway termini, will finally see the light of day in the next fortnight.
The long-delayed prepaid taxi scheme, expected to put an end to the fleecing of passengers outside railway termini, will finally see the light of day in the next fortnight.
According to sources in the transport department, all problems that had held up the scheme until now have been ironed out and Mumbai Central terminus will most likely be the first among the five termini where prepaid taxis will operate.
According to a senior official of the transport department, the operator of the service, its tariff structure and software, space for the prepaid taxi booth and a list of major destinations to which the service will be available from the Mumbai Central terminus have already been finalised.
“We are keen on starting the service on August 15. Most concerns of all stakeholders have largely been addressed and a Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed with the taxi drivers’ association led by Anna Desai,” the official said.
Desai expressed optimism about his association’s ability to start the service. “We are prepared to start the service on August 15, though some minor issues remain. We will begin trials on Tuesday. Three people — two clerks, one for handling receipts and another money, and one coordinator between the passengers and the clerks — will work in each of the three shifts,” he said.
State transport commissioner VN More confirmed the transport department’s intention to start the service soon but refused to give a clear date. “Instead of rushing ahead to meet a deadline, I would prefer to start the service once all stakeholders’ concerns and other issues related to the scheme have been sufficiently addressed so that there is no problem once the scheme is operational. We should be able to start the service at Mumbai Central within the next fortnight,” said More.
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