Pre-Paid Cabs at Chennai Airport

Nick-H · Dec 17th, 2007, 11:02

Each terminal has three booths: the booths have different charges.

madan80 · Dec 17th, 2007, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Each terminal has three booths: the booths have different charges.

Dang- completely defeats the purpose.

Nick-H · Dec 17th, 2007, 12:05

Especially as they all advertise something like "Government approved fares"!

madan80 · Dec 17th, 2007, 12:39

everyone loves one son more than the other...

including the government.

capt_mahajan · Dec 17th, 2007, 13:42

The prepaid taxis we talk about are often approved by the Traffic Police. In some cases, I think, even run by them and advertised as such.

The others are just tourist taxis masquerading as prepaid taxis.

backpakker · Dec 18th, 2007, 13:39

Thats very true..same case with autos in the city as well..some are owned by the cops as well and hence all hell breaks loose

Richeek · Jan 22nd, 2008, 21:48

There are different operators. The black-and-yellow ones are the cheapest, but also the most disorganized and most rundown. I guess you just pay more for better service.

Graeme · Jan 26th, 2008, 04:58

Hello all!

Nice to find this place and meet you. My name's Graeme. I'm married to an Indian girl (from AP), and we live in the West Midlands.

Anyway, back to the subject. In 2006, me and the mrs had a little holiday (flew from HYD), and booked a cab to Golden Beach Resort (another story), from the (only one I noticed), booth in the Domestic Arrivals lounge. We were given a printed a receipt and there was no umming or arrring about the fare. I thought this was the whole point. That the passenger never gets ripped off?

BTW, is it just me or has anoyone else noticed that the auto's meter never works when you tell the driver to start it?

Nick-H · Jan 26th, 2008, 08:06

There are three booths there now, and the prices differ between them.

However, once the fee is paid and the receipt issued, that should be final: no more money to pay.

Unless someone seriously misleads them as to how far it is to go --- and rip-off customers do exist, just as rip-off drivers do!

Scandojazzbuff · Jan 26th, 2008, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

There are three booths there now, and the prices differ between them.

However, once the fee is paid and the receipt issued, that should be final: no more money to pay.

Unless someone seriously misleads them as to how far it is to go --- and rip-off customers do exist, just as rip-off drivers do!

Nick, the 3 booths offer different classes of service. From the 4 wheel drive w/AC, to the Ambassador non/AC, the cheapest. 3 different rates for 3 different classes of autos. All fixed pricing. Getting out of the airport is easy. Getting to the airport is another story!

Nick-H · Jan 26th, 2008, 14:15

I have been to two of them, and it was Ambassador... Ambassador...

I'm guessing what the third would be!

All the car hire companies have different cars at different rates, yes, although I think the cheapest airport booth may only have the very old black+yellow Amby cabs.

Getting to the airport depends entirely on time of day. I am used to easy journeys on deserted night-time roads: not much more than 30 minutes from the centre of the city. If you had to arrive at the airport eg 5.30pm to 9.00pm it would be much, much tougher. My flights tend to be between 2.00am and 8.00am, and there is no problem (apart, it seems, from the 10-minute delay at the Kathipara Junction where they are building the new fly-over).

Munivar · Feb 26th, 2008, 00:32

Uggg...even as a native Tamil, I hate the way autos and taxis operate in Chennai and most of other cities in TN too for that matter. Mumbai, Bangalore are a lot better, in my albeit limited experience.

I don't remember how much I was charged for the call taxi we booked when I was visiting...about 6 months back. He was late though and the way 'autokaarans' harassed me.

..I can very well sympathise with what foreigners and even non-Tamils endure in TN.

kwistbeableandco · Apr 18th, 2008, 21:31

I am always uaing the railway station Tirusoolam. It was a hassle to get there having to cross the always busy and dangereous road in front of the airport, but now there is a pedestrian SUBWAY passage going straight inside the railway station. Trains unfortunately start only again after 04 a.m. Price still 6 Rs to Egmore or Ford.

Nick-H · Apr 19th, 2008, 00:16

Quote:

now there is a pedestrian SUBWAY passage going straight inside the railway station.

I didn't know that!

Makes a big difference*. As will the planned Metro station at the airport when it gets built one day.

*Assuming you happen to be going somewhere on its route, of course.

ranjan154 · Apr 19th, 2008, 00:40

Good to know, thanks for the information.

Dec 17th, 2007, 13:42	#20
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,606	The prepaid taxis we talk about are often approved by the Traffic Police. In some cases, I think, even run by them and advertised as such. The others are just tourist taxis masquerading as prepaid taxis. __________________ . Outside the machine

Dec 18th, 2007, 13:39	#21
backpakker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 164	Thats very true..same case with autos in the city as well..some are owned by the cops as well and hence all hell breaks loose __________________ www.backpakker.blogspot.com

Jan 26th, 2008, 04:58	#23
Graeme Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dudley, West Midlands, UK Posts: 25	'Ow do? from a Y'am Y'am Gora... Hello all! Nice to find this place and meet you. My name's Graeme. I'm married to an Indian girl (from AP), and we live in the West Midlands. Anyway, back to the subject. In 2006, me and the mrs had a little holiday (flew from HYD), and booked a cab to Golden Beach Resort (another story), from the (only one I noticed), booth in the Domestic Arrivals lounge. We were given a printed a receipt and there was no umming or arrring about the fare. I thought this was the whole point. That the passenger never gets ripped off? BTW, is it just me or has anoyone else noticed that the auto's meter never works when you tell the driver to start it?

Feb 26th, 2008, 00:32	#27
Munivar Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 259	Uggg...even as a native Tamil, I hate the way autos and taxis operate in Chennai and most of other cities in TN too for that matter. Mumbai, Bangalore are a lot better, in my albeit limited experience. I don't remember how much I was charged for the call taxi we booked when I was visiting...about 6 months back. He was late though and the way 'autokaarans' harassed me. ..I can very well sympathise with what foreigners and even non-Tamils endure in TN. __________________ Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kaelir !!!

Apr 19th, 2008, 00:40	#30
ranjan154 Amateur Photographer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Noida (India) Posts: 856	Good to know, thanks for the information. __________________ Rakesh Ranjan -------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/travinfoindia/

Dec 17th, 2007, 11:02	#16
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,210	Each terminal has three booths: the booths have different charges.

Dec 17th, 2007, 12:05	#18
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,210	Especially as they all advertise something like "Government approved fares"!

Dec 17th, 2007, 12:39	#19
madan80 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 178	everyone loves one son more than the other... including the government.

Jan 22nd, 2008, 21:48	#22
Richeek Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 20	There are different operators. The black-and-yellow ones are the cheapest, but also the most disorganized and most rundown. I guess you just pay more for better service.

Jan 26th, 2008, 08:06	#24
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,210	There are three booths there now, and the prices differ between them. However, once the fee is paid and the receipt issued, that should be final: no more money to pay. Unless someone seriously misleads them as to how far it is to go --- and rip-off customers do exist, just as rip-off drivers do!

Jan 26th, 2008, 14:15	#26
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,210	I have been to two of them, and it was Ambassador... Ambassador... I'm guessing what the third would be! All the car hire companies have different cars at different rates, yes, although I think the cheapest airport booth may only have the very old black+yellow Amby cabs. Getting to the airport depends entirely on time of day. I am used to easy journeys on deserted night-time roads: not much more than 30 minutes from the centre of the city. If you had to arrive at the airport eg 5.30pm to 9.00pm it would be much, much tougher. My flights tend to be between 2.00am and 8.00am, and there is no problem (apart, it seems, from the 10-minute delay at the Kathipara Junction where they are building the new fly-over).

Apr 18th, 2008, 21:31	#28
kwistbeableandco Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 33	I am always uaing the railway station Tirusoolam. It was a hassle to get there having to cross the always busy and dangereous road in front of the airport, but now there is a pedestrian SUBWAY passage going straight inside the railway station. Trains unfortunately start only again after 04 a.m. Price still 6 Rs to Egmore or Ford.

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