CHENNAI: Facing complaints from passengers about lack of choice in cab services, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to rope in more cab operators.
Currently, Ola is the only cab service licensed to pick up passengers from near the terminals. This is making passengers wait for long, especially at night. Travellers can also book Aviation Express cabs from inside the terminals.
Majority of the travellers do not prefer the prepaid black and yellow taxis or the premium Aviation Express taxis due to its high charges. The black and yellow taxis operated by a drivers cooperative has around 300 cars and gets around seven trips per day. The new cab services are likely to start from the middle of next month.
A senior official of AAI said, "We are planning to have three operators in total including an operator who will provide a luxury car rental service. A tender has been floated to identify an operator after Fast Tack's term is over. Another tender will be floated to identify a company for providing luxury car service."
He also said Fast Track has approached the court about their contract and the new cab operator will be decided based on the court order. On Friday night, people were seen waiting for more than half an hour for cabs hailed via apps to arrive.
As more than 100 people will be booking at the same time from the domestic terminal alone, the number of cabs available are not adequate to meet the demand.
J Chand, a passenger who arrived at Chennai airport on Friday had to pay 600 after hiring the pre-paid taxis to reach DMS. "The drivers who coordinate the service from a counter are not considerate towards the customers. If you have to add a stop on the same route, they insist on booking two cars," he said.
"If we have to hire a cab service other than Ola, we have to walk to the parking lot to board. Many passengers approach Ola because they have set up counters outside the terminals," he added. An AAI official said the problem would be solved when two new new operators take charge.
Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) national president D Sudhakara Reddy, said, "They should have done this long ago. Peak season will start in October and it will be useful for passengers if new cab companies are added at the airport."
Currently, Ola is the only cab service licensed to pick up passengers from near the terminals. This is making passengers wait for long, especially at night. Travellers can also book Aviation Express cabs from inside the terminals.
Majority of the travellers do not prefer the prepaid black and yellow taxis or the premium Aviation Express taxis due to its high charges. The black and yellow taxis operated by a drivers cooperative has around 300 cars and gets around seven trips per day. The new cab services are likely to start from the middle of next month.
A senior official of AAI said, "We are planning to have three operators in total including an operator who will provide a luxury car rental service. A tender has been floated to identify an operator after Fast Tack's term is over. Another tender will be floated to identify a company for providing luxury car service."
He also said Fast Track has approached the court about their contract and the new cab operator will be decided based on the court order. On Friday night, people were seen waiting for more than half an hour for cabs hailed via apps to arrive.
As more than 100 people will be booking at the same time from the domestic terminal alone, the number of cabs available are not adequate to meet the demand.
J Chand, a passenger who arrived at Chennai airport on Friday had to pay 600 after hiring the pre-paid taxis to reach DMS. "The drivers who coordinate the service from a counter are not considerate towards the customers. If you have to add a stop on the same route, they insist on booking two cars," he said.
"If we have to hire a cab service other than Ola, we have to walk to the parking lot to board. Many passengers approach Ola because they have set up counters outside the terminals," he added. An AAI official said the problem would be solved when two new new operators take charge.
Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) national president D Sudhakara Reddy, said, "They should have done this long ago. Peak season will start in October and it will be useful for passengers if new cab companies are added at the airport."
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