The state transport department has already submitted a draft of the scheme to the government and a meeting with taxi operators has been called on October 11 to prepare the roadmap.
Radio taxi service would be started across the state under a scheme named Himachal Radio Taxi Licensing and Operation Scheme, 2013 in which provisions have been made to keep a check on services being provided by operators.
According to sources, in the first phase, the scheme would be launched in the district headquarters. This would also cover Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dharamshala and Chamba-Dalhousie. In the next six months, the scheme would be extended to the entire state, they said.
With the start of radio taxi scheme, tourists will not have to worry about being fleeced, said a transport official. Fare of these radio taxis would be fixed by the state transport department and operators cannot charge more than the fixed fare, he said.
The radio taxis will be fitted with GPS and electronic fare meters on the front panel (dashboard), which has to be maintained in proper working order, capable of giving a printed receipt to the commuter, with details of boarding place, destination, kms run and fare to be paid.
The vehicle would also have to be fitted with GPS-based tracking devices or any other communicating technology, which must be in constant communication with the central control unit, with access to the government about all related data. The vehicles would also have to display the photograph of the driver, particulars of his license and details of the licensee, including his mobile number.
As parking has become a big problem in the state, the transport department has made it clear that the taxi operator or company would have to make their own arrangements for parking, before applying under the scheme.
"The applicant must possess adequate indoor parking space or adequate enclosed private parking for parking taxies and office space at the main and branch offices for accommodating the control room with radio communication facility, either owned or hired for at least five years," said an official.
As the licenses would be granted for the entire state, a condition has also been imposed that the applicant shall establish a control room, fully equipped with a radio network and GPS tracking system. He shall also install dedicated telephone connections for customers to contact, he added.
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