Mumbai’s tourist cabs want 100-kmph speed limit for kaali-peelis, Ola, Uber

The Mumbai Taximens Union — one of the biggest unions of black-and-yellow taxis, wrote to the transport commissioner and asked for a three-month breather

While the government has made it mandatory for taxis and tempos to have devices limiting their speed to 80kmph installed, taxi unions have demanded more time, while tourist cab operators want the limit to be relaxed.

Some Mumbaiites welcomed the decision but many others were against it as it would increase their travel time. (HT File Photo)

A day after the decision was announced, the Mumbai Taximens Union — one of the biggest unions of black-and-yellow taxis, wrote to the transport commissioner and asked for a three-month breather.

“We have asked for more time as speed governors for cabs are not available in the market. Drivers too are not in a financial position to have them installed right away,” said AL Quadros, the union leader. He said the union might move the high court.

Tourist taxi operators said the limit would increase travel time for passengers on intercity routes. The Federation of Tourist Taxi Operators (FOTTO) demanded the limit be increased from 80kmph to 100 kmph, and have also asked that the rule apply to private cars too.

“If fitted with speed governors, tourist taxis will take the same time as buses,” said Malik Patel, leader of FOTTO. He said private vehicles also need to be fitted with the governors, as those meet with more accidents.

RTO sources said they did not renew the fitness certificates of taxis that did not have the speed governors on Friday.

Meanwhile, some Mumbaiites welcomed the decision but many others were against it as it would increase their travel time.

“Why does the government want to restrict taxi speed, when Mumbai traffic anyway limits their speed during the peak hours?”, said Payal Shah, a Matunga resident.