Taxi fare hiked for night 10.30p.m-4.30a.m

Taxi fare hiked for night

A taxi ride after 10.30 at night will cost you 15 per cent extra from Wednesday,legally.

The state government has decided to introduce a “night-tax” on the taxi fare,endorsing an illegal practice rampant across the city late at night in an attempt to bring down incidence of refusal.

The night tax would be 15 per cent of the fare and applicable between 10.30pm and 4.30am.”A notification will be out on Tuesday and the tax would come into effect from Wednesday,”said a transport department official.

“Night tax on taxi bills is charged in several cities,including Mumbai,Bangalore and Jaipur.Since Calcutta does not go to sleep at 10.30pm,the government thinks commuters travelling at night will not face taxi refusal if the tax is introduced,”transport minister Madan Mitra told.

According to transport department records,around 30,000 taxis ply across the city and its adjoining areas.The figure keeps dwindling by the hour after 10pm and by 2am,close to 70 percent of the fleet goes off the road,leaving commuters at the mercy of the remaining few who take advantage of the lack of  transport options and charge astronomical rates.