Haven’t been able to hail a cab lately? That’s because only 30,000 ply in the city every day. Down from 62,000 in ’97
The favourite Mumbai glory story of one being able to hail a taxi at any time of the day or night in the city that never sleeps is fast becoming just that - a story.
With the number of taxis, both black-yellow and silver-blue put together, slipping to less than 42,000 from a peak of 62,000 in 1997, flagging down a cab is no longer as simple as letting out a sharp whistle as they often showed in the movies. It now involves a long wait, a hunt around the neighbourhood, and much begging and pleading with taxi drivers.
While Mumbai's population between 1997 and now grew by 6 million, a combination of tougher rules in getting permits and better opportunities for drivers in their home states (mostly Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) has ensured that there are fewer taxis on the roads leading a to big supply-demand imbalance.
With the number of taxis, both black-yellow and silver-blue put together, slipping to less than 42,000 from a peak of 62,000 in 1997, flagging down a cab is no longer as simple as letting out a sharp whistle as they often showed in the movies. It now involves a long wait, a hunt around the neighbourhood, and much begging and pleading with taxi drivers.
While Mumbai's population between 1997 and now grew by 6 million, a combination of tougher rules in getting permits and better opportunities for drivers in their home states (mostly Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) has ensured that there are fewer taxis on the roads leading a to big supply-demand imbalance.
Though new and plusher radio cabs have added to Mumbaiites' options, the ring-a-cabs can't match the convenience of, say, stepping out of a restaurant, hopping into a yellow top and whizzing away.
Officially, however not much has changed. The latest Maharashtra motor transport statistics book shows that as of March 31, 2010, Tardeo RTO has 36,854 meter-fitted taxis, Andheri RTO has 7,322 taxis and Wadala RTO 6,433, making it a total of 50,609 taxis for all of Mumbai.
However, the numbers are misleading since many of the taxis don't have drivers, some of them have been scrapped and others don't hit the roads because of problems a driver taking ill or the mechanical breakdowns.
Unions believe that on any given day there aren't more than 30,000 cabs on the streets of Mumbai.
Taxi unions blame it on the three Ps - politics, policies and police. There is a fourth P as well according to taxi unions - population - but that is something that they would not want gripe too much about.
"Taxis are called public transport but they are a blind spot as far as the government is concerned. People expect us to be like BEST buses or suburban trains. But while those are government undertakings, we are left to fend for ourselves.
The policies of the government over the years have progressively made it tougher for the taxi trade," said Anthony Quadros, president of the city's largest taxi union, Bombay Taximens' Union.
Accepting that fare refusals have increased, Parel-based taxi driver Akram Khan blames the immense load on a small number of cabs in the city.
"Who does not like to earn money? But because there aren't enough taxis, the load on us is greater. So If I refuse somebody, it is because my car has run more than what it should for the day," said Parel-based taxi driver Akram Khan.
Officially, however not much has changed. The latest Maharashtra motor transport statistics book shows that as of March 31, 2010, Tardeo RTO has 36,854 meter-fitted taxis, Andheri RTO has 7,322 taxis and Wadala RTO 6,433, making it a total of 50,609 taxis for all of Mumbai.
However, the numbers are misleading since many of the taxis don't have drivers, some of them have been scrapped and others don't hit the roads because of problems a driver taking ill or the mechanical breakdowns.
Unions believe that on any given day there aren't more than 30,000 cabs on the streets of Mumbai.
Taxi unions blame it on the three Ps - politics, policies and police. There is a fourth P as well according to taxi unions - population - but that is something that they would not want gripe too much about.
"Taxis are called public transport but they are a blind spot as far as the government is concerned. People expect us to be like BEST buses or suburban trains. But while those are government undertakings, we are left to fend for ourselves.
The policies of the government over the years have progressively made it tougher for the taxi trade," said Anthony Quadros, president of the city's largest taxi union, Bombay Taximens' Union.
Accepting that fare refusals have increased, Parel-based taxi driver Akram Khan blames the immense load on a small number of cabs in the city.
"Who does not like to earn money? But because there aren't enough taxis, the load on us is greater. So If I refuse somebody, it is because my car has run more than what it should for the day," said Parel-based taxi driver Akram Khan.
Where have all the cabs gone?
There are several reasons behind the dwindling number of taxis in the city. But one main reason is that it is now so tough to get a taxi permit.
In 2008, the state government decided that taxi drivers will be given a badge only if they are residing in the state for the past fifteen years. "Does the state government think that a person would stay here for 15 years and then start driving a taxi. Taxi driving is a quick form of employment," said Quadros.
Because of the new rule, close to 20 per cent of the city entire taxis fleet are parked idle because of lack of drivers.
The increased prosperity in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, from where a large number of taxi drivers immigrated to Mumbai, has also hit the trade. In the months of April, May and June, a lot of taxi drivers leave for their native villages to attend weddings in the family.
According to Quadros, this year the figure of taxi drivers going to their native villages during during the three months was as high as 80 per cent.
Loans
Several taxi drivers, who have permits but have had their taxis scrapped due to court orders, are too old to get bank loans to buy new cars.
"A large number of taxi drivers are in the age group of 50-60 and these people are unable to get loans from banks. Moreover drivers do not have any collateral for security either. Plus a lot many of them are already repaying old loans taken to switch from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas in 2003," Quadros said.
Permits
It is a vicious circle, say taxi drivers. Motor rules specify that a taxi driver has to buy a new cab within one year of his taxi being scrapped or else his permit gets cancelled. "The problem is that you can only buy hatchbacks like Santros, Wagon R, Eeco.
These vehicles cost over Rs 4 lakhs and most taxi drivers won't be able to get loans for this amount. In the last one decade almost 28,000 permits have thus been lost," said Quadros.
The fleet cab money power
With deeper pockets, fleet cab operators are gobbling up permits. Just recently the transport department auctioned 4000 taxi permits and earned Rs 104 crore. Each permit went for Rs 2.6 lakhs against a base price of Rs 1 lakh.
"This is the kind of money that taxi drivers just don't have. These auctions don't augur well for the taxi trade but we know it is here to stay," said Quadros.
Parking in commercial districts
Taxis are finding it extremely tough to park and solicit customers in commercial districts. It was just this week that the state government assured the taxi unions that 1100 taxi stands which were removed by the civic authorities would be resurrected.
Taxi drivers say once it is done, the availability of taxis on the streets would improve.
Better opportunities at home
The city's largest taxi union - the Bombay Taximen's Union - has seen a dip in membership. The reason -- many of its members have shifted base to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where the private tourist cab business is doing well.
In 2008, the state government decided that taxi drivers will be given a badge only if they are residing in the state for the past fifteen years. "Does the state government think that a person would stay here for 15 years and then start driving a taxi. Taxi driving is a quick form of employment," said Quadros.
Because of the new rule, close to 20 per cent of the city entire taxis fleet are parked idle because of lack of drivers.
The increased prosperity in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, from where a large number of taxi drivers immigrated to Mumbai, has also hit the trade. In the months of April, May and June, a lot of taxi drivers leave for their native villages to attend weddings in the family.
According to Quadros, this year the figure of taxi drivers going to their native villages during during the three months was as high as 80 per cent.
Loans
Several taxi drivers, who have permits but have had their taxis scrapped due to court orders, are too old to get bank loans to buy new cars.
"A large number of taxi drivers are in the age group of 50-60 and these people are unable to get loans from banks. Moreover drivers do not have any collateral for security either. Plus a lot many of them are already repaying old loans taken to switch from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas in 2003," Quadros said.
Permits
It is a vicious circle, say taxi drivers. Motor rules specify that a taxi driver has to buy a new cab within one year of his taxi being scrapped or else his permit gets cancelled. "The problem is that you can only buy hatchbacks like Santros, Wagon R, Eeco.
These vehicles cost over Rs 4 lakhs and most taxi drivers won't be able to get loans for this amount. In the last one decade almost 28,000 permits have thus been lost," said Quadros.
The fleet cab money power
With deeper pockets, fleet cab operators are gobbling up permits. Just recently the transport department auctioned 4000 taxi permits and earned Rs 104 crore. Each permit went for Rs 2.6 lakhs against a base price of Rs 1 lakh.
"This is the kind of money that taxi drivers just don't have. These auctions don't augur well for the taxi trade but we know it is here to stay," said Quadros.
Parking in commercial districts
Taxis are finding it extremely tough to park and solicit customers in commercial districts. It was just this week that the state government assured the taxi unions that 1100 taxi stands which were removed by the civic authorities would be resurrected.
Taxi drivers say once it is done, the availability of taxis on the streets would improve.
Better opportunities at home
The city's largest taxi union - the Bombay Taximen's Union - has seen a dip in membership. The reason -- many of its members have shifted base to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where the private tourist cab business is doing well.
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