After the revelry, opt for a safe drive back

Every New Year’s eve, after you are a drink or several down, the safe thing to do is to hire a call driver to take you home.

However, this time, in some instances, you may have to shell out quite a bit to do so.

Clubs have informed their regulars that employing a call driver for a few hours on Wednesday evening or night might cost anywhere between Rs. 1,000-Rs. 1,500. Call driver services also have effected modest hikes to their rates.

The concept of call or acting drivers began in the city nearly a decade ago. The demand for the service increases especially during New Year. Most firms appoint drivers after checking their antecedents.

Most of the companies offering the service charge Rs. 260 for four hours and Rs. 50 for every additional hour. “We have increased the charge by Rs. 20,” said Redsun C. Ambigapathi, the owner of Top4calldrivers, which employs around 1,500 drivers.

R. Satish Kumar, who runs a firm called Shree Call Drivers, said those who hire drivers will have to pay an additional bus fare. “This is for the driver to reach home after dropping the customer,” he added.

Most of the drivers are verified by the police, the owners claim. “We take their identity and address proof and other driving documents,” explained Satish. Customers can avail the acting driver service by calling an hour in advance.

While some small firms get nearly 25 calls on weekdays, the bigger companies get around 1,000 calls. The number doubles during weekends and holidays.

However, customers say that not all drivers are punctual. Nitesh Kumar, a city-based stock broker, recalled his disappointment last year when the taxi service he had booked after celebrations at a city hotel on New Year’s eve failed to turn up on time.

“After many calls, when I got through to the driver, he was with another client. Much to my anger, he told me he could pick me up an hour later if I was ready to pay Rs. 1,000 over the regular fare,” he said.