Use technology, empower passengers for safe cab rides: Experts

Use of extensive technology and empowering passengers are best solutions for safe, secure and accessible public transport especially for women passenger safety in the capital, experts said today.
Installing dash board camera's in public transport vehicles, child locks in cabs, panic buttons, use of voice enabled Apps, mechanical training to drivers, well maintained vehicles and provision of portable ramp for disabled were some of the recommendations made by experts at a conference on 'Safer and Convenient Taxi Operations in India'.
"The code of conduct is a must for minimum taxi industry protocol and standards of customer service...Taxi service industry in country like India is expected to maintain high standards and provide a high quality of service to the hirer," said Trevor Wedge ,former Chief, Driver standards Agency, UK, while speaking at the conference.

The workshop was organised by Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), in partnership with Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, which was supported by Goodyear India Ltd.
"The code for taxi ... Drivers should stress more on their unruly predatory behaviour; most of them misbehave with passengers and park cabs in bus lanes. The new Motor Vehicle Act on anvil help taming of these public transport drivers in a big way," said Garima Bhatnagar, Joint CP Traffic, Delhi Police, as per a statement from IRTE.
Director, IRTE, Rohit Baluja said taxi drivers are expected to be professional in their approach to the industry and to drive safely and defensively in all weather and traffic conditions.

The experts discussed Codes of Practice for Taxi Operation, Codes of Practice for Taxi Driver Training & Licensing, Safer Vehicles- Comfort Cabins And Making Taxis Safe and Convenient for Passengers: women and children, differently abled and elderly.