The Nepal Meter Taxi Association (NMTA) is preparing to launch an online mobile application for taxis in a month.
The preparations are in the final stage, Chairman of the NMTA Arjun Prasad Gautam said, “Once the online mobile application comes into operation, the passengers can hire a taxi from their home.”
The app users can track taxis within two kilometres from their location.
“People can book a cab, based on their rating, ranging from one to five,” said Development Manager at Mobile Application Solution Himanshu Shrestha. He added the software was ready for launch.
With the mobile app, each taxi can be tracked using Global Positioning System. Passengers can determine the distance travelled by the cab, and the fare. Besides, the app shows several route options that would lead to the particular destination.
“Often, passengers complaints about being overcharged by taxi drivers,” said Gautam, assuring”Once we bring this app into operation, the passengers will no longer be cheated.”
Having been approved by the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology, the NMTA said it has already taken permission from the Department of Transport Management to operate the service.
The passengers are highly vulnerable of being overcharged at locations such as hospitals, bus parks, airport, where travellers have no choice but to hire a taxi. Cab drivers are also found charging more from passengers, taking the advantage of shortage of public vehicles, particularly during the festival season. An estimated 10,000 taxis operate in Kathmandu Valley.