Private cabs to accept cards payments soon

You need not bother about carrying cash the next time you take a private cab in the city. Around 3,000 cabs will offer payment by credit card by June-end.
With Easy Cabs and City Cool Cabs having started the credit card facility recently, other operators like Meru, Mega Cabs and Gold Cabs plan to offer this payment option to passengers soon. While Meru is in the process of importing hightech swiping machines from Italy, Gold Cabs will offer card payment facility from next week onwards. Mega Cabs will launch the service from June 10.
Meru CEO Rajesh Puri said, “Mumbai is a commercial hub and there is a daily influx of business travellers from across the world. It becomes difficult for passengers to pay in Indian currency. Also, the card payment option would be easier, convenient and faster.” Meru already offers the card payment option in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
Mega Cabs vice-president Vinod Mishra confirmed that there was a huge demand from passengers for the credit card payment facility. “ While giving us feedback, passengers who hire vehicles for official purposes request for the credit card payment option. We have decided to introduce the facility in all our vehicles ,” he said.
Gold Cabs CEO Arun Sabnis said that installing a card swiping machine was an expensive affair. “But due to public demand, we will instal swiping machines in each vehicle,’’ he said.
Easy Cabs officials claim they are the pioneers in introducing the credit card system in Mumbai cabs.
Vijay Agunde, proprietor of City Cool Cabs, said he offers credit card facility only on request, installing the machine on a temporary basis. “The machine costs Rs 25,000 and there is a possibility of drivers misplacing it. I cannot take this risk,” he stated. Star Taxis also plans to introduce the facility in near future.
“Every private taxi operator will have to switch to card payment soon. These days, you will find a passenger carrying not one but at least three to four credit cards in his/her wallet,’’ Sabnis added.