Taxi Driver

Taxi Transport in India

Probably the best way to get around an Indian city is by taxi or motorized auto-rickshaw. Auto-rickshaws, especially, are fast and cheap, although not as comfortable as an air-conditioned taxi.

Auto-rickshaws are practically everywhere and are easy to flag down. Taxis are also easy to hail on the street in Mumbai, but much harder to find in Delhi. One drawback is that most drivers don't speak English. If your driver can't understand your pronunciation of a landmark or hotel, pen and paper may do the trick. Bystanders are also often helpful in getting from point A to B.

Most important, find out in advance the approximate fare for the distance you will be going?someone at your hotel can give you a ballpark figure. This is crucial, because even if your taxi or rickshaw has a meter, the driver might not use it. That is the standard practice in Delhi, where it's common for rickshaw drivers to quote outrageous fares and claim that the meter is "broken." Don't fight the system?just have an idea of a fair price before you get in, and expect that negotiation will usually be part of the game. A good rule of thumb is that no rickshaw ride should cost more than Rs. 150 (most are much less), and no taxi ride should cost more than Rs. 600, unless you are going really, really far away. In Mumbai, drivers are good about using the meter and rate conversion cards that are used to convert the rates on out-dated meters to current, government-approved norms. Once you're at your destination, the card shows how much you should pay based on the figure displayed on the meter. If you think you're going to a place that may not have vehicles for the return journey (you will probably know for sure only when you reach your destination, unfortunately), then when you arrive, negotiate a waiting fare and a return fare with the driver.This means there will be an increase in job opportunities for Taxi Drivers.