Prepaid Taxis in Cuttack soon

After prepaid autorickshaw service completing a year without hiccups, prepaid taxis could soon hit the roads from the Cuttack Railway Station. The traffic management authorities and the Railways are mulling to start the prepaid taxi service, primarily to facilitate easy transportation for passengers, who alight at Cuttack but have to take other means to reach their destinations outside the city.

The Traffic Management Sub-Committee on prepaid service has already started discussions with the Railway authorities on the issue. As per estimates, more than 50 taxis, under the local association, could be roped in to start the service. There would be no requirement of additional infrastructure as the service can be started from Counter No.I of the prepaid autorickshaws and the existing taxi stand used for parking.

“Prepaid taxis solely confined to the city limits would not be feasible as the distance radius is very less. For intra-city passengers prepaid autos are ideal in terms of fare and access. But some distant locations within the city limits besides outskirts can be included,” a senior official said.

The service would be of immense benefit for passengers from neighbouring districts like Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Kendrapara and Jajpur. For much of these districts, passengers prefer to disembark in Cuttack and take alternative means of transport to reach their destinations. There is a high demand for taxis by such sections of the passengers.

The fare structure of the prepaid taxi system will be decided. The formulation of the fares, which will keep interest of both the operators and passengers in mind, has been entrusted to committee members from the Transport Department side.

The fares would be different from the prepaid autos as the vast areas cannot be covered under zones. While the modalities are being worked out, the fare would be on kilometre basis, on the distance covered apart from a minimum charge. There would be no additional charges for night and luggage etc, sources said. The issue is slated to come up for discussion at the Traffic Management Committee under Commissioner of Police SK Roy on Friday. (Source – New Indian Express)