V-Link launches Meru cab service for Delhi, NCR

New Delhi, Mar 23 (UNI) Targeting the commuters who look for comfort, safety and high-end technology while travelling, radio taxi service provider V-Link Taxis Pvt Ltd has started Meru cab service in the capital and the NCR.

Priced at Rs 15 per km, as prescribed by the government for the radio taxi services, the cabs are air-conditioned, fitted with electronic meters and printers and will use GPS-based technology to enable real-time taxi location and dispatch.

After completing a year in Mumbai, the company will start its metered radio taxi service here with deployment of 250 white Maruti Esteem and it is single mindedly focussed on ensuring availability to the 'retail' customer.

''Initially, we are starting the services with Maruti esteem.

Later on, the fleet will be increased with Logan and Dzire,'' company Regional Head CB Singh said here.

By early next year, the fleet will be increased to 1,000 taxis with a view to capture 30-40 per cent market share.

''With the deployment of 1,000 taxis, we are targeting 30-40 per cent market share. At present, we don't have any corporate tie ups here as we are bringing the services for the end-users--the masses,'' said Prateek Roongta, Vice President, India Value Fund Advisors, which manages a direct corpus of Rs 2,500 crore in the company.

Regarding the service station, he said on the sidelines of the conference that in Delhi, the service station will be set up in next two-three months.

''In Mumbai, we have a service station but it is not operational as yet. We have a tie up with Maruti service station,'' he added.

The company assures customer a tamper-proof meter and a printed receipt for each fare he pays. Besides, V-Link also promises safety with deployment of highest quality drivers as for every eight drivers screened, it selects only one.

The customers can avail the cab service through phone, sms and web.

V-Link Taxis had launched its operations in Hyderabad last week and by the end of this month, it will commence its services in Bangalore.

Subsequently, it will start operating in other large cities by the end of this year. With this, the company claims, it will become the largest radio taxi operator in the country.

In December 2007, the Government of Delhi had issued a letter of intent to V-Link to commence its services with 200 radio taxi operations in the state and it claims to have satisfied all the criteria laid down by the government.

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