Kerala - Kochi   

Crackdown on illegal taxis

John L. Paul

Many private cars being run as taxis: RTO

KOCHI: The Motor Vehicles Department has decided to initiate action against unauthorised taxis plying in Ernakulam district.

This comes in the wake of a Kerala High Court order that action be taken against private cars which masquerade as taxis and ferry passengers.

The order was passed after the Travel Operators' Association approached the court, alleging that many owners of private cars were running their vehicles as taxis, leading to a dip in the revenue of those running genuine taxis.

Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer (RTO) M.N. Prabhakaran says that the department has gathered details of over 100 private cars being operated as taxis.

"Most of these vehicles are high-end [premium] cars and multi-utility vehicles, used by corporate managers and such persons after they arrive at the airport or the railway station. A vast number of them operate from in and around the airport and have tie ups with star hotels."

Notice to be issued

The department will soon issue notice to the owners of these cars asking them to stop plying the vehicles as taxis. They can ply as regular taxis once they take permit for the same. The department is keeping a close watch on the operation of illegal taxis.

It is difficult to gather evidence against them since it has to be proved that a cash transaction has taken place between the passengers and the operator. They are mostly parked in houses.

Some travel operators have a fleet of cars, among which some have taxi permits and others do not.

"The reason why they prefer private cars is that they need not pay the permit charge and additional taxes to be paid for the taxis. Many of these vehicles operate to neighbouring States as well and they get preference over regular taxis [which sport yellow number plates] at checkposts. Private cars need not pay entry and road tax at checkposts. Moreover, passengers who are concerned about their status prefer to arrive at meetings and parties in private cars than taxis," Mr Prabhakaran said.

If all other measures failed, the department personnel might hire these taxis in the guise of passengers and trap the illegal operators. The registration of these cars would be cancelled, as a punitive measure.

Mr. Prabhakaran said the Motor Vehicles' Act permitted only rent-a-cab system and not rent-a-car.

"As per law, private cars should not be given for hire or for reward. It has come to our notice that some agencies rent out cars to individuals on daily rent. NRIs [non-resident Indians] form the biggest customer base for these rent-a-car agencies which rent out private cars for a few days. We are keeping a close watch on such operators as well," he said.

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