'Yatrik' mobile app launched for booking taxis

Kolkata: The state Transport department has introduced the "Yatrik" mobile phone app on Wednesday to help easy booking of traditional meter taxis in the city through the online platform.

The mobile phone app has been developed by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

After introducing the app in a programme held at Paribahan Bhavan II at Kasba, the state Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari said: "The taxis are immensely helpful for common people. It needed technological advancement mainly after the introduction of app-based cabs in the city. Today (Wednesday) the app is getting introduced and it will be of great help for both taxi drivers and operators."

It may be mentioned that one needs to get registered after downloading the app. A user needs to provide his required details to log in. Once a user has logged in, he or she can type a location and send the location to get a meter taxi.

Both blue and white and yellow taxis have been brought under the project and it has been initiated with 300 taxis. Gradually, it will be implemented in the rest of the taxis as well.

Right at this moment, getting a taxi in just a single click has been made possible through the app. Once the request is sent through the app, the user will get an SMS containing the taxi number and driver's details.

It will help in establishing a contact between the user and the taxi driver. Subsequently, the taxi driver will reach to the nearby point from where the user will board the taxi. After reaching the destination, the payment will be made as per the reading of the meter.

Introduction of the app will immensely support the drivers as it will help them in getting a good business. It will also be beneficial to commuters as there will be no taxi refusal problems.