Cool comfort: Taxis shift gear in city
With chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh as its first passenger, Fulora Foundation-run Mumbai Gold Cabs Ltd on Wednesday kickstarted the run of a swanky new fleet of taxis in Mumbai. After several starting problems, the air-conditioned taxis have finally managed to come out of government files and on to Mumbai’s roads with a promise to be present at the customers’ beck and call.
Though the Fleet Taxi scheme had been devised a long time back, its launch just months before civic elections in Mumbai has raised eyebrows in political circles. Chief Minister Deshmukh, obviously, denied any such motives of the Democratic Front government.
Launching the new taxis, Deshmukh said Mumbai long deserved the new vehicles fitted with the latest technology. “Since it’s the commercial capital of the country, it should set an example by providing the best taxis,” he said.
Deshmukh said Mumbai, like any other city with a prosperous economy, had a lot of takers for the taxis. “Consumers don’t mind paying slightly more for better quality of travel,” he said. However, he was quick to remind the BMC and the MMRDA to give Mumbai pothole-free roads so that commuters could enjoy a smooth ride.
“Now that the monsoons are over, BMC should get its act together and improve the condition of roads,” he added.
Commenting on the demonstrations by the Mumbai Taximen’s Union, Deshmukh said the state government did not intend to thrust the new vehicles on all taxi drivers. “We are not issuing any new permits to cab companies. But the Fiat taxi drivers need to understand a monopoly situation cannot continue forever,” he said.
State finance minister Jayant Patil in his address said Fiat drivers should realise Mumbai cannot just sit back and watch everything change. “From today, Fiat alone will not mean taxi in Mumbai. The new taxi scheme is meant to give passengers and drivers a better deal,” he said.
Sanjay Ubale, secretary (special projects) and G S Gill, principal secretary (transport) also spoke on the occasion.
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