Mumbai: Kaali-Peeli taxis have witnessed a sharp decline in bookings for domestic and international airports with aggregators and fleet cabs eating into its customer base, according to the Mumbai Taximen's Union.
About three years ago, nearly 60% of the bookings to travel to the airport would be black-and-yellow taxis, but now, it has fallen to below 20%, said the union, which has the biggest membership of taxi drivers in the island city and suburbs.
Commuters, however, blame the poorly maintained black-and-yellow taxis and the "arrogant" attitude of the drivers for the decline in demand. "They do not maintain the vehicle taxi, the drivers are arrogant and fare refusals maximum," said Ashish Patil, a businessman from Goregaon who travels by cabs every day.
"Our business has been badly hit due to the presence of private taxis and cab aggregators," said union leader A L Quadros. "Earlier, people would book a black-and-yellow taxi to head to the airport or railway station. But now, they prefer to book cabs over the phone or through an app. They also don't mind paying double the fare. This has eaten into our business."
24/06/16 Somit Sen/Times of India
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About three years ago, nearly 60% of the bookings to travel to the airport would be black-and-yellow taxis, but now, it has fallen to below 20%, said the union, which has the biggest membership of taxi drivers in the island city and suburbs.
Commuters, however, blame the poorly maintained black-and-yellow taxis and the "arrogant" attitude of the drivers for the decline in demand. "They do not maintain the vehicle taxi, the drivers are arrogant and fare refusals maximum," said Ashish Patil, a businessman from Goregaon who travels by cabs every day.
"Our business has been badly hit due to the presence of private taxis and cab aggregators," said union leader A L Quadros. "Earlier, people would book a black-and-yellow taxi to head to the airport or railway station. But now, they prefer to book cabs over the phone or through an app. They also don't mind paying double the fare. This has eaten into our business."
24/06/16 Somit Sen/Times of India
