IRCTC move to provide online cab services

IRCTC  move to provide online cab services

IRCTC cab service plan sparks protest

Agra: Protesting against the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) move to provide online cab services, to ferry tourist in and around Agra and Mathura, Agra Cantt station driver and tour operators union has alleged that IRCTC did not consult them even once before launching the service. 

There are total 220 registered cabs and 550 taxi at Agra Cantt station that have been ferrying tourists in and around of Agra for last 40 years.

Speaking to TOI, Riyaz Usmani, vice president of union said, "We don't understand, how IRCTC can ignore our presence and prefer to hire new tour operators. Our union has been working for last 40 years here. IRCTC is hurting our livelihood as nearly 770 drivers and their families are associated with the business at Agra Cantt station." 

He said, "We all drivers are qualified, well-aware of local places and are accredited by the department of tourism. This is totally absurd on the part of IRCTC, that they have not given us chance to work in collaboration with them." 

Sandeep Dutta, public relation officer of IRCTC, said, "We are not giving any kind of favor to anyone. It was open tender and all tour operators were free to participate in it." 

In a bid to encourage tourism and provide hassle free cab service, IRCTC will be launching cab service between Agra-Mathura and Fatehpur Sikri this week. It will provide an option on its website to book cab other than train tickets for the same. 

The service will need to be booked at least 36 hours in advance so that the allotment of individual taxis and porters can arranged. The facilities can be reserved while booking tickets through IRCTC website. The passengers will be provided details about the cab 45 minutes before the arrival of the train at the destination. 

A passenger will need to pay Rs 1,500-1,600 for a half-day ride, which will take him to local monuments, while for full-day one has to pay Rs 2700 in which cab service provider can take the tourist to Mathura or Fatehpur Sikri to tour forts and other religious places. 

Meanwhile, UP tourism has also come up with a plan to give around 35 tour packages to tourists. 

Source:TOI