Mumbai taxi union to move high court over 80kmph limit, speed governors

The Mumbai Taximen’s Union has announced to move the Bombay high court against the state government’s decision to install speed governors in taxis and cabs.

The Mumbai Taximen’s Union has announced that it will move the Bombay high court against the state government’s decision to install speed governors in taxis and cabs.

Following the Centre’s directive, the state government on Thursday imposed a speed limit of 80 kmph on taxis [black and yellow taxis, app-based cabs and tourist taxis], small tempos, pick up vans weighing less than 3,500kg.

Following the Centre’s directive, the state government on Thursday imposed a speed limit of 80 kmph on taxis [black and yellow taxis, app-based cabs and tourist taxis], small tempos, pick up vans weighing less than 3,500kg.

AL Quadros, leader of the union, said the decision was taken hurriedly. “Speed governors are not certified by agencies such as Automotive Research Association of India and Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT). We have demanded that the entire process, which will take at least six months, to be stayed,” said Quadros.

Following the order, approximately 300 taxis failed to get their fitness certificate renewed on Thursday as RTOs insisted on speed governors.

The state’s order was based on the May 1 notification by the Centre that called for speed governors in all commercial four-wheelers.

Tourist taxi operators rued that these devices would increase travel time for passengers on intercity routes. The Federation of Tourist Taxi Operators has demanded speed limit be increased from 80kmph to 100 kmph and have asked that the rule apply to private cars too. In August 2015, the Centre made speed governors mandatory for heavy vehicles but exempted police vehicles, fire tenders, ambulances, two wheelers, three wheelers and four wheelers weighing less than 3,500kg.