Delhi to have 15000 radio cabs before CWG 2010

It will be a smooth ride for tourists and citizens during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi as Delhi government estimates that around 15,000 radio taxis will be on the roads by October.

"There is no hurdle to obtain licences (to operate radio taxis). Anyone who fulfils the conditions can get it without difficulty. In fact, we are encouraging people to travel in DTC buses and radio cabs instead of using personal vehicles," Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said on Friday.

"15,000 radio cabs will be in operation before the Commonwealth Games which will offer a safe transport mode to people. We encourage the modern system having facilities like GPS, computerised billing among others," he said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off a new radio taxi service 'YO Cabs'.

"We are launching our operations with a fleet of 100 cars. But we aim to raise the number to 1000 before the Games. Right now we have received licences to operate 500 cabs," Prabjit Singh, promoter of JAS Cabs Private Limited, said.

The cars are equipped with facilities like GPS and printers so that the vehicles can be monitored continuously and the customers can avail automatic billing.

The taxi service will be available round-the-clock in the NCR region and Delhi. The charge is Rs 15 per km.

"The drivers are trained, especially on how to behave with customers and have the knowledge of basic English. To ensure safety, their backgrounds have been thoroughly verified," Singh said.