Despite pressure, state wants high-end cars in taxi fleet

Refusing to budge under pressure from car manufacturers, the state government will try and include high-end models in its existing taxi fleet.

Refusing to budge under pressure from car manufacturers, the state government will try and include high-end models in its existing taxi fleet.

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The state transport department and state transport authority will soon hold a meeting to discuss the probability of including as many luxurious car models as possible in its fleet of black-and-yellow taxis. "We will have a meeting to discuss how we can accommodate high-end cars in the fleet," said Dilip Jadhav, transport commissioner.

On Tuesday, the Hindustan Times had reported that car manufacturers were opposed to the proposal for inclusion of newer and luxurious models such as Hyundai i10, i20 and Maruti Swift Dzire in the taxi fleet.

Raja Wagh, who bought a Dzire on April 9 after selling his old taxi, asked: "When the government wants to phase out old cars, then why cannot they allow us bring latest models?"

The taxi union has been demanding vehicles like i10 and i20 manufactured by Hyundai, Maruti Swift Dzire and other high-end cars to be included in their fleet. But car dealers are of the view that the demand for a car model drops once it becomes a taxi.