Bye auto, hi taxi

Bye auto, hi taxi
Mid-day

BMTC ties up with cab agency, which will drive people to the nearest BIA bus stop for a reasonable fare; autos will be hit by the new service

BMTC’s taxi feeder service will give tough competition to auto drivers in the city. The taxis, which ferry passengers from their houses to the nearest BMTC bus stop, charge Rs 100 a trip.

“It’s Rs 100 for one trip, not for each passenger. A maximum of four people can share a cab and the cost.

The fare remains the same even if you book a taxi during the night,” said Raju B B of Cell Cabs, the agency which has tied up with BMTC to provide the service.

Auto drivers insisted that they were not worried about competition. “These cabs cannot make a profit in the long run by charging such a low fare. They will be a failure,” said B Somashekar, chairperson, Bangalore Auto Drivers’ Union.

No extra charges

“Taking a cab to the nearest bus stop is a good option because the special bus stops are located at a distance of five kilometers. The maximum distance, which those who stay or work on Bannerghatta Road should travel to a BMTC airport bus stop, is 12 km. They must come to JP 6th Phase to board a bus to the airport. But we will not charge them extra for the 12-km distance,” Raju said.

Better than autos

The trouble with autos is that they are not a phone call away. You have to walk some distance to hail an auto. An auto can take just three people while a taxi can comfortably accommodate four people and their luggage. This makes the taxi agency confident of its success.

Dastagir Sharief, chief traffic manager (operations), BMTC, said, “We decided to tie up with a cab agency because they offer safer and more convenient services to the public than autos.”

Cell Cabs also promises special offers for those who book their taxis. “You will get a 25 per cent discount on your BMTC bus ticket. If your onward and return travel are in the same month, then you will get a 30 per cent discount on the bus fare when you return from the airport,” Raju said.

The cost increases with your choice of car. An Indigo will cost Rs 125 a trip, while an SUV, which can accommodate six people, will cost Rs 230 a trip. Log on to www.bmtcinfo.com or www.viaworld.in to book or call 60609090/ 42994399.

More players

Airlift, a cab service to the airport, charges Rs 300 per person for a one-way trip. Onward and return rides will cost you Rs 450. The agency has wi-fi enabled Toyota Innova cars.