The introduction of prepaid taxi services at Nagpur railway station has brought significant relief to passengers, eliminating the need to drag heavy luggage under the scorching sun or in the rain to find a ride. The cab booking process is seamless, with passengers finding it highly convenient and reliable.
Passenger Feedback
Alankar, a passenger who arrived at the station on Sunday, praised the service. "The fares are fixed as per approved rates, and the booking process at the station is simple and convenient," he said. Another passenger, Himanshu Gujjar, added, "Now, we don't have to go outside the railway station to find a cab. It has made travel from the railway station convenient."
Dry Run Success
The encouraging response during the three-day dry run bodes well for the service provider, Bharat Cabs Online, before the full rollout on June 15. The company claimed that passengers took less than two minutes to scan QR codes and book cabs before leaving the station during the trial.
Pickup Points and Accessibility
Cabs are stationed with clearly marked pickup points at the front porch near platform number 1, offering comfort especially for senior citizens, women, families with children, and those with mobility challenges. "The cabs will be fully operating from Nagpur railway station immediately and from Itwari railway stations in the coming days," said a source.
Oversight and Coordination
Railway authorities, including Divisional Railway Manager Vinayak Garg and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Aman Mittal, oversaw the dry run in coordination with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). "With more drivers onboarding daily, the service is poised for expansion. Integration with other operators could further boost availability," said Garg.
Background and Challenges
TOI has repeatedly highlighted how the discontinuation of app-based cab services around October 2024 left passengers at the mercy of autorickshaw operators for nearly 18 months. Past attempts to introduce app-based or prepaid cabs faced stiff opposition from prepaid auto-rickshaw unions. "One standout feature of the revived service is its transparent and driver-friendly model," said a volunteer stationed at the pickup point.
The roads outside Nagpur railway station continue to pose challenges due to the presence of autorickshaws and traffic congestion. "Sustained police vigilance will be needed to manage the situation," said senior railway officials.
Key Highlights
- Relief for passengers: Spared the ordeal of searching for a ride outside the station or walking long distances to areas like Jaistambh Chowk or Ganesh Tekdi to hail a ride.
- Driver-friendly model: Drivers retain 100% of the RTO-approved fare, with the service provider charging only a nominal convenience fee of Rs 50 per ride.
- Growing fleet: Already 50 drivers have joined, with more expected to come on board, and other cab companies have expressed interest.
- Easy booking: QR code scanning at dedicated counters eliminates the need for app downloads, making it accessible for all.
- Infrastructure: Temporary parking zones near the new reservation counters on the west side can accommodate multiple cabs, with assistance desks for first-time users.
