Though there are a large number of share-taxi routes functioning in Mumbai, they do so without official approval and their fares are not regulated by the state.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) on Saturday finally gave its approval to the long-pending demand to officially introduce a share-taxi scheme for the city.
Though there are a large number of share-taxi routes functioning in Mumbai, they do so without official approval and their fares are not regulated by the state.
An official who was present at the meeting told DNA that the authority has decided that the currently functional 32 share-taxi routes in south and central parts of Mumbai will be regularised. Also, at least 25 new share-taxi routes have been given approval. Besides, 40 more routes have been approved across Thane.
“This decision should enable the opening up of more such routes across the city where taxis have been allowed to ply,” the official said. He refused to divulge further details about the scheme such as the routes, per passenger fare approved etc. “Those details will be publicised early next week once principal secretary (transport), Ashwin Kumar, signs the documents.”
The formal approval of such a scheme will help commuters in many ways. Taxi drivers who drive on share basis will no longer be legally permitted to charge ad hoc fares, sandwich commuters and tamper with meters to charge exorbitant fares.
Taxi union leader Anthony Quadros welcomed the approval. He assured that the scheme will find enough takers among the taximen as they will get an assured business within short distances. It will also help the taximen who have been plying their taxis on a share basis voluntarily after paying up the traffic policemen and railway officials.
The union will now be able to place share-taxi stands on authorised routes to earmark the space for the service. Presently, few of them, if at all, have stands. “We have received sponsorship from Mahanagar Gas Limited for 50 stands. We can place these stands on the routes soon,” Quadros said.
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