Call taxis make an impressive start in Mysore

September 06, 2014 11:07 pm | Updated 11:08 pm IST - MYSORE

The newly launched taxi services in Mysore have emerged as an alternative to the Public for commuting in the city.

The newly launched taxi services in Mysore have emerged as an alternative to the Public for commuting in the city.

The introduction of call taxis in Mysore for the first time, by at least two private players over the last three weeks, is expected to give locals as well as tourists the option of an alternative mode of transportation.

Available on call round the clock, these taxis, enabled with Global Positioning System (GPS), are offering competitive rates to lure customers. “When we launched in the second week of August, we were receiving about 10 calls per day. But, three weeks later, we are receiving 60 calls per day,” said J. Binny, Manager of Nano Taxi Service, Mysore.

Encouraged by the good response, Nano Taxi — which has deployed around 21 vehicles at present — is planning to increase its fleet by another 20 to 25 vehicles in the coming weeks.

B.S. Prashant, who runs a travels company in the city, said the availability of taxis on the doorstep within minutes of making a call was surely an added commuting facility that a tourism centre like Mysore badly needed.

Though the cabs rented out by his company cater to a different segment of travellers, Mr. Prashant said sections of the business class, who travel with blazers and three-piece suits, may opt for such city taxis over commuting by autorickshaws. Nano taxis can be hired for a minimum of Rs. 70 up to 4 km after which Rs. 14.50 is charged for every km.

Meanwhile, Fast Track, which operates in a few Indian cities, also launched its services in Mysore last week. “We not only provide pick-up and drop facility, our cabs can be engaged on hourly basis,” said Varun, marketing manager of Fast Track in Mysore.

Representatives of these taxi services said they were receiving more calls from certain middle and upper middle class areas like in Hebbal, Jayalakshmipuram, J. Nagar, Jayanagar and Gokulam. “Such taxis will be convenient for a family to travel from home to railway station or bus-stand,” said Satish, a resident of Rajarajeshwarinagar in the city.

“Our cabs are often engaged for visits to tourist destinations within the city as well as Brindavan Gardens and Chamundi Hills,” said a representative of one of the taxi service. “With automatic billing system, there is no room for confusion over the fare,” he said.

With traffic police putting up checks for drunken driving, a representative of the taxi service said they receive a lot of calls in the night from people who are at clubs and restaurants as well as from people, who wished to be dropped home.

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