Cab operators step on the gas to meet demand increase

Avis India,which is planning to expand its fleet to meet the increase in demand,is reportedly flooded with requests not only from tourists but also participants from other nations to arrange sightseeing trips and excursions to nearby spots after an event. Cars from neighbouring locations such as Chandigarh,Lucknow and Himachal Pradesh would be brought in to increase the fleet size during the event.

At present,Avis India has 250 cars. By the times the Games begin,the fleet would be increased by another 100 cars of which 50 would be reserved for self-drive requests. So,for those who wish to undertake trips in the city as well as outside,different kinds of cars — from Wagon R to Toyota Innova and Mercedes — would be available at discounted rates.

“We are offering up to 20 per cent off on all chauffeur and self-drive car rental bookings made for the event. We are also offering customised holiday packages for tourists visiting places around the Capital,including the pink city of Jaipur,forts of Jaisalmer,Taj Mahal at Agra and Golden Temple at Amritsar,among other destinations within a short distance from Delhi,” said Avis India CEO Sunil Gupta.

Meru Cabs,which has 1,200 cabs in the Capital,will increase its fleet size by another 300 vehicles by the start of the Commonwealth Games. Besides this,it is also in the process of making its systems more automated.

Meru Cabs CEO Rajesh Puri told Newsline,“The estimated increase in the passenger demand is valued at over 10 per cent month-on-month,and with the Commonwealth Games round the corner there is bound to be a further hike. So,while we will increase the fleet to 1,500 cabs by September,we expect to have a fleet size of 2,000 in the Capital by March next year.”

Puri said the company has upgraded its systems to enable instant system booking confirmations to save passengers’ time. “This is applicable for bookings within 45 minutes of the call,when our customer service agents will immediately confirm the bookings through an upgraded and automated system that we are putting in place. Also,drivers will no longer call the passenger once he reaches the pick-up point. Instead,he/she will get a message that the cab has arrived,” he added.

Radio taxi operators such as Delhi Cabs and Mega Cabs are also in the process of increasing their fleet size in time for the event,while officials of car rental operator International Travel House claim that standby arrangements have been made to hike the fleet size if there is any additional requirement during the period.

“We already have packages for outstation travel,but if there is any additional requirement of cars,we have a standby in place that will be pressed into service,” said an International Travel House spokesperson.