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City tourist taxis cry out for help

Last Updated 14 October 2010, 17:28 IST

 
The nine-day long festival, which was expected to revive tourist taxi services did not prove any good, as the business is still down by 80 per cent compared to 2008.

Tourist taxi operators who have been facing a slump in the business for sometime now opine that hike in fuel prices, increasing maintenance cost and non availability of drivers are adding to their woes.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association Founder President Thanthry said “ As the business in no longer cost effective the question of it being profitable does not arise.

Business for 60,000 odd tourist taxis owners has come down by 80 per cent compared to 2008, he added.

“Earlier, we used to have business for at least 25 days in a month, now it has been reduced to mere 12 days. Also, there is no demand for long tours,” he added.

There needs to be a special, dedicated wing under the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) to address various issues affecting tourist taxi operators. The need of the hour is a permanent authority that can address our concerns throughout the year on a priority basis, he explained.

Severe blow

Speaking about the failure of Dasara to help revive tourist taxi business the operators said pro-active measures of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation’s (KSRTC) has dealt a blow to the business.

With the KSRTC and the KSTDC chalking out numerous ways of drawing visitors with attractive offers, taxi associations are crying for help.

Services like ‘travel to Mysore by the KSRTC and get free meals’ among others have made taxis as the last option for people eager to travel to Mysore.

However, the KSRTC officers observe that reduction in prices of fares are pro-people measures and are not directed to hamper business of others.

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(Published 14 October 2010, 17:28 IST)

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