Valley
37 Valley cabs equipped with billing system in five days
As many as 37 taxis have been equipped with electric billing system so far since the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) announced that it would start installing the new system in cabs in the Capital from Sunday.Anup Ojha
As many as 37 taxis have been equipped with electric billing system so far since the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) announced that it would start installing the new system in cabs in the Capital from Sunday.
The government has made it mandatory for the taxis operating in the Valley to install electric billing system.
“Dozens of taxi drivers have come to enquire about the system,” said Bikash Dhonju, chief of Taxi and Tempo Unit at the NBSM.
Taxis with registration numbers from Ba 2 Ja 3000 to Ba 2 Ja 3200 must install the new system by January 7.
Bishow Babu Pudasaini, director general at NBSM, said all the taxis will be equipped with electric billing system within six months.
NBSM move to install electric billing system is aimed at regulating the taxi fares in view of the complaints from members of public that they are often cheated by cabbies.
Once the billing system is implemented, officials at NBSM said, passengers will be getting a receipt with details about the distance travelled, the fare and registration number of the cab.
The cost of the electric billing machine ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000.
NBSM has called on all taxi drivers to approach the office to get the new system installed in their vehicles. “If they do not show up, we will seize their driving licenses. We are coordinating with coordinate with traffic police for the purpose,” said Pudasaini.
There have been complaints galore that cabbies often overcharge passengers, particularly during the night and at places like hospitals, airport and bus stations.