The Hindu : Functioning of pre-paid booths to be reviewed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 20, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Functioning of pre-paid booths to be reviewed

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 19. Following the murder of a 59-year-old Australian woman near Indira Gandhi International Airport here in the wee hours of Wednesday, the Delhi police have set up a coordination committee headed by the Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police to review the functioning of pre-paid taxi booths at the airport.

The committee - which would comprise members of taxi unions, tour/travel agents and Airports Authority of India officials -- will review the functioning of pre-paid service at the airport and accordingly take steps to make the service more passenger-friendly and safe.

The pre-paid taxi system was introduced at the airports in 1986, after which it was extended to railway stations, bus terminals and other places across the Capital. As per this system, the passengers availing of the pre-paid taxi facility are issued receipts containing the details of the taxi, the destination, the driver's name and the amount charged.

Since the driver is paid only after he returns the slip to the authorities concerned, which is handed over to him by the passenger after he reaches his destination, the traffic police said the system was effective in curbing the activities of private taxi owners who charged unreasonable amounts. The traffic police claimed that it was due to the efficacy of the prepaid system that the police were able to solve the murder case so quickly.

However, it is alleged that quite a few people working in the airport premises, who have taxis in the names of their relatives and friends, trap passengers from near the pre-paid booths and charge them hefty amounts.

The police and other agencies concerned have not been able to curb this menace so far.

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