Soon, pre-paid cabbies can’t fleece you at airport

Soon, pre-paid cabbies can’t fleece you at airport

Passengers at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) will no more be fleeced by touts and taxi drivers. The Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) authorities will soon be launching a new system in which a passenger booking a pre-paid cab will be provided with the registration number of the vehicle in which he/she will be travelling. Although this development has gone down well with security agencies and passengers, a certain section of taxi drivers think the move is against them. They claim that if their numbers come when they take a break or when they are away to offer prayers, the passengers could face difficulties. A MIAL spokesperson said that the step is being initiated keeping passenger safety and convenience in mind. He added that it will keep touts at bay helping the cab drivers immensely. “The traveller will feel secure and assured with this system,” said the spokesperson. This initiative has come after a long list of cases recorded every day wherein passengers arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) reported to have been cheated of cash and valuables and exorbitantly charged by touts or cab drivers. Many passengers who fall prey to these touts include foreigners. AL Quadros, head of Mumbai Taximen’s Union, said that the move will definitely benefit air passengers. “If some taxi drivers are opposing the move, it means they want the fleecing of the passengers to continue,” said Quadros. The frequent fliers are more than happy with the development. Ashfaq, an IT professional who travels to Banglore at least thrice every month, says: “The airport authorities should have done this long back. However, it’s better late than never,” said Ashfaq.