radio taxi!

Wed, May 14 12:45 AM

Cabs are not merely a means of getting around in town; they are an integral part of a city's culture, its social history, and identity and, to an extent, they define its ethos too. New York City's yellow cabs, London's black cabs or Mumbai's black and amp; yellow top-metered taxis are a striking metaphor for these cities' 24/7 rush and vibrancy.

While Delhi has had its fleet of age-old black-and-yellow Ambassador cabs, it has been identified more by its auto-rickshaws. But all that has changed in the last few years with the arrival of radio taxis.

Radio taxis first hit Delhi roads in 2000 and have since come a long way, in terms of both numbers and popularity. Today, there are about 2,000 radio taxis on the city's roads.

And Delhiites say they have not just provided them a whole new commuting experience, but have also changed the way they feel about their city. "Radio taxis with taxi top lights have added to the international look of the city," says Rohit Wadhawan, a software professional.

That captures what cabs could mean to a city. If radio taxi companies in the Capital are to be believed, Delhiites are going ga ga about radio taxis.

"We get around 4,000 calls and do about 2,000 trips everyday. We have a fleet of about 315 cabs and soon plan to add another 185," says Binod Mishra, general manager, Mega Cab.

Driving women crazy Radio taxis have found favour with women in a big way. "Currently we have a fleet of 550 radio taxis on roads and fifty per cent of our customers are women," says Ashok Vashist, COO, Easy Cabs.

So, what makes these cabs such a hit with women? Talk to frequent female radio taxi users and they will tell you these taxis - mostly Tata Indigo Marina and Esteem - are safe, reliable and comfortable. "The best part is that they can be called over the phone.

I often take radio taxis to commute between home and office. I feel safe even while I take a radio cab in the night, you do not have to haggle over fair and their drivers are quite courteous.

But, yes, the fairs of radio cabs are a bit steep," says Shweta Gautam, who works with a real estate company in Delhi. "Earlier I never went to late night film shows because that meant having to haggle with an auto driver in the middle of the night.

Now I just book my radio cab in advance for pick-up from the cinema", says Niharika, 27, a freelance graphic designer. Radio taxis are becoming popular with an increasing number of office-goers too, what with the increasing travails of driving on the city roads and rising parking fees.

"We have many clients who regularly use our taxis to and from office, especially those whose offices are in areas where parking fee is high," says P.N. Subramanian, business head, Delhi Cabs. His company will soon be launching a Radio Taxi service exclusively for women called 'For She', which will have women drivers.

It is not just the paint and the plush interiors that set a radio cab apart from the black and yellow-metered taxis. Drivers also play a key role.

"Our every driver takes a mandatory seven-day training not only in driving but also in soft skills," says Mishra. While the number of customers has been rising steadily, radio taxi operators say there is still lack of awareness about radio taxis, especially in east Delhi from where they receive scant bookings.

"Many people in Delhi do not know what radio taxis are all about and some do not take them because they feel they are very expensive," says Mishra. Needed: more radio taxis The number of radio taxis is growing steadily in the city, with several new players having introduced radio taxis in Delhi in the past few years.

But there is still a huge gap between demand and supply. Radio taxi operators say they have to refuse a large number of customers everyday.

"We are not able to cope with the demand. As of now, there is a shortage at least 3,000 radio taxis in the city.

Because of the shortage, hailing a radio cab is not an option now. Besides, parking for radio taxis is a big problem.

The government should allot us parking bays, especially near ISBT and railway stations.".

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