Railways to start `dial-a-taxi' service for passengers

Indian Railways is taking passenger services closer home with plans to introduce taxis for travel to and from railway stations. Passengers can book taxis just by dialling 139, the same call centre code that currently provides information about PNR and arrival / departure status of trains.

The `book a taxi' service, to be rolled out soon in about 25 cities across the country, including the national capital, would be offered at competitive tariff rates.

The Railways, which reduced passenger fares in this year's budget, is trying to get a larger chunk of passenger traffic by making train travel more comfortable.

The service would initially be available in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and 20 other important cities. "The aim of the service is to help passenger get rid of their woes in fetching a taxi and pay the actual charge incurred," a senior railway official said.

The service would then be rolled out across smaller towns in the country, the official added.

The plan is to tie up with authorised car rental agencies at select cities to provide this service. Passengers will be able to choose from various model;s like an Indica, or Wagon R or even a luxury car, depending on  the fare he can afford.

The 'book a taxi' service, available round the clock, would be of great help to tourists as this would rid them of the hassles of hiring a car and paying jacked-up fares.

Railways also plan to introduce hotel bookings through dialling 139 in the future. IRCTC will monitor the services to ensure that passengers get taxis on time and do not end up paying more.