Unions seek permits for share kaali-peelis on longer routes
Somit Sen | TNN | Mar 25, 2019, 08:11 IST
Fearing stiff competition from aggregator cabs, kaali-peeli drivers had in the past demanded a fare hike, with... Read MoreMUMBAI: Facing stiff competition from pool services of aggregator cabs, black-yellow taxis (kaali-peelis) now want to ferry passengers on a sharing basis on long routes. The the biggest union of kaali-peeli taxis, Mumbai Taximen's Union, has proposed to the transport department to give them permission to run share taxis on longer routes.
The first such route suggested is from Dongri to Kurla. "This route is in demand from businessmen and traders from Dongri area who would want a direct cab connect to Kurla," union leader A L Quadros said, adding that a fare of Rs 150 has been proposed for each seat.
Currently, drivers of kaali-peelis survive largely on share routes across the city, most of which are short distances of up to 2 km. "The number of these taxis was about 58,000 six or seven years ago. It has now dwindled to less than 20,000 on the roads," he said. "The overall business has been badly hit over the last four years due to competition from Ola and Uber cabs which ferry maximum passengers on long-distance routes. This is why our drivers prefer to ply on share routes where there is assured business and they earn 33% more than the normal fare for any trip."
Drivers of kaali-peeli cabs are usually ply on share routes outside railway stations in the city. A section of drivers continues to operate outside stations catering to passengers of long-distance trains.
"As share routes are in demand for kaali-peelis, we have demanded routes that link more than two stations and cover a distance of at least 5km," said Quadros.
Fearing stiff competition from aggregator cabs, kaali-peeli drivers had in the past demanded a fare hike, with minimum fare of Rs 25. This proposal has been pending for months.
In a related development, a new share route was launched at Lower Parel On Tuesday. It covers two railway stations to Dadar.
The first such route suggested is from Dongri to Kurla. "This route is in demand from businessmen and traders from Dongri area who would want a direct cab connect to Kurla," union leader A L Quadros said, adding that a fare of Rs 150 has been proposed for each seat.
Currently, drivers of kaali-peelis survive largely on share routes across the city, most of which are short distances of up to 2 km. "The number of these taxis was about 58,000 six or seven years ago. It has now dwindled to less than 20,000 on the roads," he said. "The overall business has been badly hit over the last four years due to competition from Ola and Uber cabs which ferry maximum passengers on long-distance routes. This is why our drivers prefer to ply on share routes where there is assured business and they earn 33% more than the normal fare for any trip."
Drivers of kaali-peeli cabs are usually ply on share routes outside railway stations in the city. A section of drivers continues to operate outside stations catering to passengers of long-distance trains.
"As share routes are in demand for kaali-peelis, we have demanded routes that link more than two stations and cover a distance of at least 5km," said Quadros.
Fearing stiff competition from aggregator cabs, kaali-peeli drivers had in the past demanded a fare hike, with minimum fare of Rs 25. This proposal has been pending for months.
In a related development, a new share route was launched at Lower Parel On Tuesday. It covers two railway stations to Dadar.
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