Delhi government to launch affordable city taxis

With an aim to increase the availability of cheap and affordable mode of transport for the public, the Delhi government will introduce a new programme -- City Taxi Scheme 2015 -- in the national capital, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday.

"For the first two km, the cabs will charge Rs.25, after that it will be Rs.10 per km. This will be a cheaper mode of transport as the tariff will almost be equal to autorickshaw fare," Rai said.

"The state transport authority in a meeting today (Monday) passed the City Taxi Scheme 2015 for better transport availability in the capital," he said, adding that a notification in this regard will be issued soon.

"This taxi scheme will be an amalgamation of the Radio Taxi Scheme 2006 and the Economy Taxi Scheme 2010. Vehicles of capacity 600 cc (small cars like Nano and Rewa) onwards will be covered under the new scheme," he said.

Earlier, vehicles above 750 cc capacity were allowed to ply as taxis on city roads.

He said registrations would be made under individual and group category as well as aggregators.

For registration under individual category, one has to shell out Rs.5,000, while that for the group category will be Rs.25,000.

In the group category, the minimum fleet required is 200 and the maximum 2,500.

Taxis plying under this scheme would be of white colour with provisions of advertisements on both sides.

Vehicles will have LCD display on top in green and red colour for availability and occupied category, respectively, he said.

"Panic button and hooter will be mandatory in the vehicles. Bill will be generated as per rates notified by the government," the minister said.

The government would also launch a rented motorcycle scheme.

"Licenses will be issued for motorcycles which can be hired for use by individuals and tourists. These will be commercially registered and given contract carriage permit. Licensees should have minimum number of five motorcycles with office space of 150 square feet," Rai added.