Why a Modern Fleet Taxi Service:

The need for a modern taxi system for Mumbai has been felt for a very long time. The current taxi system leaves a lot to be desired both for regular users, who are citizens of Mumbai and outdoor users like tourists and business travelers.

Being the commercial capital of the country Mumbai sees a number of tourists and business travelers. The economic growth has only increased the number of such visitors. Mobility is important for everybody and the other means of public transport are defined by the following characteristics:

1. Overcrowded and uncomfortable – as in the case of trains and buses.
2. Not point to point
3. No provision of air conditioning

In this scenario the user is left with no choice but to

1. Use the existing taxi’s which leave much to be desired
2. Hire expensive rental cars.
3. Limit their mobility, which in turn means that categories like tourists may be seeing lesser places and ultimately spending lesser.

Taxis make an impression about a city and form one of the components of making a city desirable to live and do business in. Thus from the point of a comprehensive policy to make Mumbai livable and world class a modern taxi system is very essential.

1. Growing population and economic growth mean that travel trips have increased and people need better commuting facilities. We are a hot tropical city. Air and noise pollution reduce productivity and impact health.
2. Current Taxi service is in a very bad condition leaving commuters stressed and unhappy.
3. Air- conditioning has become the norm for most private cars.
4. If private car owners are to be attracted towards using taxis then air conditioning is essential.

What is the current experience?

Users left with

1. Drivers who can be ill-mannered
2. Many drivers ignorant about the city routes
3. Drivers refusing rides to particular destinations.
4. No facility to call for cabs or book over the internet.
5. Taxis’ which are rickety, doors which do not work, dirty upholstery.
6. Faulty inaccurate analog meters
7. Indisciplined and rash drivers

1. The new taxi service is proposed to be run on a fleet model as opposed to the individual owner driven or rented model. It is felt that in a corporatised model where a company runs a few hundred taxi ’s, with the drivers as employees, there would be better agglomeration economies which would enable the company to enable state of the art communication features and comfort levels.
2. There could be multiple companies within the same city as long as they meet the prescribed conditions.
3. The new taxi’s would have be air-conditioned with possibility for telescopic pricing.
4. The new system would enable the taxi’s with GPS systems and on dashboard communication facilities which will enable call centers to locate and direct them to the nearest customers. Taxi drivers wouldn’t refuse rides to any destination.
5. Idle time and dry running of taxi’s would reduce considerably and running time would increase thus providing better returns on variable cost.
6. Better economies of operation and competition will ensure that companies will keep vehicles in good conditions and latest models would be introduced. Running a fleet will also enable company to get better deals on maintenance.

1. Increases commuters tendency to avoid private cars and use a taxi by providing choice
2. Improves drivers income and working conditions
3. Reduces road congestion by encouraging use of air-conditioned taxi’s rather than private vehicles.

There have been a series of meetings starting from late 2003 which have built up the momentum towards a new taxi service. It was generally felt that a corporatised model of companies running fleets would do well. After the launch of the Vision Mumbai Report a Sub Group on Taxis and Enforcement was formed under the aegis of Bombay First. Over a period of almost ten months and numerous meetings a framework was set leading to a report which was submitted to the Government of Maharashtra.
In due time the Fleet Taxi Service Scheme 2006 evolved and was passed by the State Government on 14th March 06.

November 03
Sub Group on Taxis and Enforcement formed in Bombay First

Fulora Foundation started study of the Mumbai Taxi
Visit to study Singapore Taxi Model visited S.T Electronics- Intelligent Transportation business and advance fleet management system.
COMFORT DELGRO— Company engage in Land transportation

COMFORT---Cooperative Taxi Operator having own maintenance workshop

March - August 04
Working Group formed under the leadership of Mr. Alok Gupta consisting of many NGO’s and individuals active with the city’s transportation and other issues. The group completes report by September 2004 and report is subsequently submitted to GOM.

5th May  2005
Western India Automobile Association holds a function on a World Class Modern Taxi Service. Fulora Foundation makes its presentation about enabling the new service.

June 2005
Transport Commissioner convenes a large meeting consisting of all stakeholders – TC, RTO, Taxi Unions, Fulora Foundation, Bombay First/MESN representatives, vehicle manufacturers.

August 2005
Fulora Foundation submits its fare schedule to the Transport Commissioner.

September 2005

GOM issued letter of Intent to Fulora foundation to start the activities and introduce 100 vehicles. Fulora Foundation bought One Esteem Vehicle fitted with CNG as a Demo Taxi

September 19-21, 2005
Study visit to Singapore
Members

• S.D Shinde--- Transport Commissioner
• A.L.Quadros--- G.S Mumbai Taxi mans union
• Premsingh Dhansingh----President Mumbai Taxi Assocition
• Dilip Tammal---G.S Mumbai Taxi Chalak Malak Sangh

Coordinated by All India Institute of Local Self Government Mumbai

• Places of visit and organisations
• S.T Electronics- Intelligent Transportation business and advance fleet management system.
• COMFORT DELGRO— Company engage in Land transportation
• COMFORT---Cooperative Taxi Operator having own maintenance workshop
• Taxi trade existed from 1960
• National Trade union with Taxi driver—comfort –from 1970
• Private limited and cooperative partnership in 2003
• Ownerships of Taxis to the drivers by lottery system
• Observations
• International standard Taxi operation
• Electronic Meters fitted taxis
• Cashless payment system—card payment
• Young taxi fleet average age of 3 years
•  32 Buses owned by same company in operation
•  Drivers training program for basic skills, foreign language & Social awareness
•  Rooftop advertising
• Best Taxi driver award of the year, gold top award.
• Cooperative Taxi drivers with initiative of taxi union with the initiative and support of government may emerge as one of the operator in competition with other operators

10th January 2006
Meeting at All India Institute of Local Self Government where the new taxi scheme was presented by Fulora.

March 2006
Law regarding Fleet Taxi Service 06 passed

May 2005
Another series of meetings at AIILSG

October 18 -2006

Inauguration of Fleet Taxi Services by Hon. C.M. Vilasrao Deshmukh

The proposal to have a new Taxi Service for Mumbai has not been without its share of difficulties. The existing operators and the unions have had apprehensions about the new services which need to be adequately addressed.

1. As per a High Court order the taxis had to remove their diesel engines and be fitted with cleaner CNG engines. The investment into the CNG kits was incurred by the taxi owners by taking loans.
2. Apprehension of loss of livelihood by a reduction in number of permits.
3. From the fleet operators point of view the concerns remain regarding the transferring of permits into their names to ensure secure business environment.
4. Parking spaces