The Hindu : 'Vast scope for expansion of call taxi service'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 07, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

'Vast scope for expansion of call taxi service'

By N.Ravi Kumar

CHENNAI June 6. The operations of the 700-odd call taxis and the estimated 40,000 autorickshaws provide a study in contrast about the two modes of public transport in the city.

Launched nearly two years ago, though in a comparatively small way, call taxis have made an impact with residents, at the cost of autorickshaws. From a mere three operators with about 150 vehicles in the initial stages, there are at least 25 call taxi operators, including a few who have a fleet comprising less than ten vehicles.

This is not the end of road for them, as sources among the operators say, there is a vast scope for expanding the fleet and entry of more operators.

Fuelling their confidence are the findings of a survey, conducted on behalf of Chennai Call Taxi at the time of launch of the service.

``The survey sample indicated that nearly 2.85 lakh people require motor vehicles for transportation and only about 70,000 of them have their own vehicles. While a lakh of the people patronise the government-run modes of public transport, the remaining take autorickshaws, yellow-topped taxis and cabs'', explains Ernest Paul, Managing Director, Chennai Call Taxi and President of the Call Taxi Operators Association. This gives an indication of the unmet demand for affordable transport in the city.

More than the potential passenger traffic that exists for the operators, the popularity of call taxis is due to the near indifferent attitude of the autorickshaw drivers towards their passengers. Following the arrival of call taxis, the popularity of the three-wheelers, many of which allegedly run without proper registration from the Transport Department, seems to be hitting a new low daily. In fact, a standard caution given to a first time visitor to the city is to be careful about the autorickshaws.

The difference between the two modes of transport is apparent, right from the way the call taxis charge for one-way of the travel to the autorickshaws, who factor-in the return journey fare in their demand. Polite customer behaviour seems to be a rare commodity among the autorickshaw drivers, while there are fewer complaints in this regard against the call taxis. At many places, including the Central railway station the autorickshaws protest the entry of call taxis.

Yet another striking feature about the two is their animosity at any attempt to control them. While most of the autorickshaws are opposed to any measure to regulate them, the call taxis are looking forward to the government norms for them, which are being formulated, according to sources.

A recent development in the segment is the introduction of air-conditioned call taxis. Says M.Durairajan, Managing Director of Zig Zag, ``the response to the air-conditioned vehicles has been very good, especially from the corporate houses and hotels.

While most of the autorickshaws went off the road today in protest against the petrol and diesel price hike, the call taxi operators are expected to meet soon to decide their future course of action.

Rash driving by call taxi drivers, and their undependable nature when it comes to bookings for railway stations and airport are common complaints.

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'Vast scope for expansion of call taxi service'