Union proposes shared AC taxis in South Mumbai

Anticipating competition from the Best’s Fort Ferry services, the taxi union led by Anthony Quadros is now planning to introduce air-conditioned (AC) taxis on a shared basis at several destinations in South Mumbai. 

General secretary of the Mumbai Taximen’s Union, Anthony Quadros, was hesitant to concede that the taxi business will be affected by the competition but he said that he was keen about starting the shared AC taxi services at locations such as Nariman Point and Old Customs House, which have a large number of commuters during rush hours.

“We want to start services but presently we don’t have enough taxis. Once the government releases more permits, we will be able to bring in more taxis to provide such services,” said Quadros.

The BEST, on Thursday evening, launched special bus services which would ferry commuters in the Fort area on a ring route between two of the busiest rail termini — CST and Churchgate. The commuters will be charged Rs5 for travelling from Fort  to destinations such as Old Customs House, Reserve Bank of India, the museum and NCPA.

Presently, the share taxi services from CST and Churchgate to Nariman Point and a few other locations are available at Rs10. However, AC taxis services are not operational yet. A proposal was mooted by the transport department last year but it is yet to be implemented.

State Transport Commissioner VN More said he will comment after going into the details. He declined to comment how much longer it will take before the administration releases the permits. “It is a policy decision to be taken by the government. The department has already sent the proposal,” he said.