The government aims to provide a cheaper and convenient option to the commuters, said officials.
“The new taxi scheme will be an amalgamation of the Radio Taxi Scheme 2006 and the Economy Taxi Scheme 2010. Besides, vehicles having <g data-gr-id="47">capacity</g> of 600cc onwards will be covered under <g data-gr-id="48">new</g> scheme,” said Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai. Delhi State Transport Authority (STA) has planned to launch New City Taxi on <g data-gr-id="46">pattern</g> of auto-rickshaw fare. According to the proposed licences, these vehicles will be issued on the basis of individual and group category.
“In individual category any vehicle owner can get his or her car registered while in group category an operator will be required to have a minimum fleet 200 vehicles and <g data-gr-id="44">maximum</g> of 2,500 vehicles. We will also allow aggregates,” added Rai.
According to STA rules, the vehicles having <g data-gr-id="41">capacity</g> of 600cc and above could be registered under City Taxi Scheme, 2015. <g data-gr-id="39">Individual</g> vehicle owner will have to pay <g data-gr-id="40">licence</g> fee of Rs 5,000 while it will be higher for group category.
“Small size taxi between 600 CC to 749 CC will have <g data-gr-id="50">minimum</g> flag down rate of Rs 25 for first two kilometres, which is same in the auto rickshaws. After two kilometres, passengers will have to pay Rs 10 per kilometre,” said a senior STA officer, adding that auto rickshaws at present charge Rs 8.50
per kilometre.
“These taxis will have to install panic button and <g data-gr-id="36">hooter</g> as a safety feature. If any driver violates
rule, his licence will be cancelled,” said a senior officer of Delhi government.
Besides, LCD display will be installed on top of the vehicles in green and red colours for availability and occupied category. The vehicles will have the provisions of advertisement on both sides. Rai also disclosed government’s plan to issue commercial licences to motorcycles, which can be hired for use by individuals and tourists.
However, the auto and taxi unions have voiced their concerns on the new taxi system and threatened to go on strike. “I have heard that the government plans to bring over one lakh taxis under this scheme which will spoil our business. We will surely go on strike if the scheme is implemented,” said Rajender Soni of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.