Capital to get 10,000 Radio Taxis by 2010

New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) The national capital will have a pool of 10,000 modern and hi-tech radio taxis available round-the-clock before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf promised this while flagging off the first batch of new taxis here today.

The dial-a-cab service was part of the government's plan to overhaul the public transport system before the Commonwealth Games, he said.

The new taxis, having Global Positioning System (GPS) for tracking and navigation, besides radio for better communication.

Passengers would be charged Rs 15 per km.

The cabs would have credit card swipe machines and reservations could also be made online.

From safety point of view, these taxis would have panic alarm button system.

About 500 such taxis would be running in the city by March next year and licences had been issued to three private companies -- Metro Radio Cab Ltd, Carzenent and Mega Corporation Ltd -- for providing the service.

The minister assured that the new service would be hassle-free and manned by trained and courteous drivers. The taxis would give commuters a wider choice, he added.

''With these Radio Cabs people will not only have a safe and secure journey but also experience luxury and comfort.'' Commissioner Transport R C Mohan was present at the occasion.

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