From April, two new fleets, more taxis

The city is likely to see more fleet taxis with two companies planning to launch services by April.

Carzonrent Pvt Ltd and Ballal Jyoti Travels Pvt Ltd have been given letters of intent from the transport department. The two companies, which have been providing cars to the corporate and hospitality industries, will join Meru Cabs, Mega Cabs, Mumbai Gold Cabs, Mumbai Taxi Company and Orix Auto.
The existing fleet taxis are short of the demand.
“By April, we plan to launch some 100 fleet taxis in the city. The pilot project will us decided on our future action plan,” said Gopalkrishnan, CEO of Ballal Jyoti Travels Pvt Ltd. A Carzonrent spoksesperson confirmed plans to launch Easy Cab, a dedicated fleet service for Mumbai, from March, but did not specify the number.Transport department sources said of the existing fleets, only Meru Cabs has a permanent licence and the rest have temporary ones. “One of the main criteria to get a permanent license is to have a minimum 500 taxis. The operator, should not, however, exceed 10,000,” said a senior RTO official.