The transport department has asked all call taxi drivers and omni bus operators to install GPS equipment in their vehicles.
Department officials said this decision was taken in view of the rise in the number of crimes against women in public transport, especially taxis. “We are also waiting for the central government’s recommendations to set up a control room to monitor the taxis,” said a transport department official.
Over 25,000 cabs and 600 omni buses ply across the city.
“The names of the vehicle owner and driver will be displayed on the screen in the control room once the GPS is fitted in cars. The vehicle’s registration number will also be displayed. If there are complaints pertaining to a particular call taxi, we can track the vehicle easily using the GPS system,” said the official.
The call taxi operators have also been asked to display boards with the name of the driver and owner and the licence number. “This will help passengers if a complaint is to be registered,” said the official.
Lalgudi Srinivasan, joint secretary of Chennai Tourist Taxi Owners Association, said that such safety measures are already in place in cabs in Singapore.
“The managements of IT and BPO companies will also benefit as they can track the movement of the cars in which their staff get dropped at home late in the night or early in the morning. The move is also beneficial for car owners as they can track their vehicles if they gets stolen,” he said.
However, omni bus operators have another suggestion. “We plan to install the GPS in the driver’s mobile phone instead of going in for costly equipment. It is easier to track the vehicle and the driver,” said A. Afzal, managing director of Parveen Travels.
