Travel in Style with cutting-edge cabs
March 20, 2007 5:54 PM

A yet another taxi fleet will be launched in the city on Sunday.

These olive green Maruti Esteem 'MERU' taxis, 50 in all, have been launched under the state's Fleet Taxi Scheme of 2006 taxis.

V-Link Group, which owns these new taxis, was set up in 2000. It received the a license to run new taxis on city roads two months ago. "About 150 taxis will be launched by April and the number will increase to 1,000 by the end of this year. Similar services will also be launched in Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Pune," said Anjan Deb, COO V-Link.

He said, "Like the ones in London, Singapore and the Middle East these cabs can be availed of through a global call center. So, a person booking his tickets for Mumbai can also book these taxis which will pick them up from the airport or railway station." These taxis will also use GPS/GPRS technology for navigation.

The company says it will employ chauffeurs certified by the Western Indian Automobile Association. People will also be able to hail the taxis, provided that they aren't engaged.

These cabs will be fitted with systems, procured from Dubai-based Dubai Technologies, whereby passengers will be given printed bills.

The company is targeting corporate houses, foreign tourists and business travelers. Initially the service will be launched in sough Mumbai.

Initially the fare structure will be in line other taxi fares - basic fare is Rs 13, after which it's Rs 15 for every kilometer