Radio Cabs / Dial-a-Cab in Delhi

Aishah · Apr 23rd, 2008, 04:25

Prasanth - Pre-paid cabs are run by the police. Shashank started this thread for reasons in his OP. Radio cabs are different to pre-paid cabs but they do have a small counter at both Domestic and International airports where you can book from, just like pre-paid ones. This thread is not exactly the same topic as the one you have referred to in the link.

timepass18 · May 13th, 2008, 16:34

how much will a city tour of delhi cost me if a i use this radio cabs service??...i want to visit all the major places in delhi..
tx

shashank.aggarwal · May 13th, 2008, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by timepass18

how much will a city tour of delhi cost me if a i use this radio cabs service??...i want to visit all the major places in delhi..
tx

Please read it carefully, they go by meter, so it entirely depends on what you do...

Maybe you can call one of the numbers mentioned and check out if they have anything that might be called a Delhi Tour

timepass18 · May 13th, 2008, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

Please read it carefully, they go by meter, so it entirely depends on what you do...

Maybe you can call one of the numbers mentioned and check out if they have anything that might be called a Delhi Tour

i want to visit Old Delhi (Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Red Fort) and New Delhi (Humaytun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Rapjath, India Gate, President’s Residence and Diplomatic Enclave) and Hanuman TEMPLE, THE LOTUS TEMPLE and the Indian Museum.

can i visit all these places in a day...or do i need to break it into 2 days..

are these places near each other so that it wont cost me much??

i can spend arnd 1000 bucks to visit these places..so if they r near about..then i can take the above said radio cab

shashank.aggarwal · May 13th, 2008, 22:41

even 2 days are not enough...try to priortise, you need time to absorb things...

All the things are close by, the farthest being the Qutub Minar and the Lotus temple. Rest all are in Central Delhi.

It would be better to book a car and driver for a day, rather than radio cab, you might end up paying Rs.500-700 for 8 hours OR 80 KM...

timepass18 · May 13th, 2008, 22:49

ohh..k..so can i hire the car from the hotel itself??..also...can u suggest me some budget hotel upto Rs600/night...i tried searching the database here, but to no avail..i didnt find evn a single hotel which would be reliable...is it necessary to pre-book the hotel..or can i find land up directly??..i will be coming on June 20

rubsen · May 14th, 2008, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by alspants

The Radio Cabs are excellent. Stress free. Really good and cheap. You can rent for the day and it costs far less then several rickshaws and several taxis.

I used mega cab. 900 rupies for six hours driver for 60km, charged at 15 rupies per km over (60.15=900 so driver waiting is free).

So this means it would be no problem for them to pick me up at my home, drive me to international airport, wait until i picked up my friend (my own luggage in the cab) and drive us to domestic airport/terminal?

shashank.aggarwal · May 14th, 2008, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubsen

So this means it would be no problem for them to pick me up at my home, drive me to international airport, wait until i picked up my friend (my own luggage in the cab) and drive us to domestic airport/terminal?

There is no waiting area at the airport, he might have to park the car, which would attract parking fees, and the waiting charges...I am sure there are some waiting charges...its better to call them and check that..

rubsen · May 18th, 2008, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

There is no waiting area at the airport, he might have to park the car, which would attract parking fees, and the waiting charges...I am sure there are some waiting charges...its better to call them and check that..

Easy Cabs takes 50rs waiting charges for half an hour.

triliana · May 19th, 2008, 11:43

My experience with Delhi radio cabs has been as follows:
EASY CABS (43434343) - definitely the best of the lot. Long hold times sometimes. Difficult to get cabs at peak times. Drivers are good and about 50% of the time speak English (knowing Hindi is VERY HELPFUL though.) Had a bad driver once who took me in circles but I refused to pay for the circles and he was fine with it

Cabs have toll stickers so you only have to pay the NH8 toll if going from Gurgaon to Delhi (plus fare of course)

MEGA CABS (41414141) - also pretty decent, clean cabs like Easycabs. You get an SMS when driver is on his way. Drivers don't normally speak much English. Cabs do not have a toll sticker so you may be asked to pay 25 Rs when crossing from Gurgaon to Delhi or vice versa in addition to any toll on NH8.

CHANSON (47774777) - often available when first two are busy. Drivers do not speak English (at least not well.) No good or bad experiences with them . I call, they take me where I need to go. Have never had to cross the border with them.

I don't know the name of this one but 44404440 - DO NOT USE. Cabs are dirty, drivers will try to cheat foreigners even if you speak Hindi with them. Management doesn't really seem to care either. If you don't speak Hindi at all, avoid. Avoid anyway if you don't want to fight with the driver when he tries to overcharge you.

Hints and tips:
1) All these companies book in English. Drivers usually do not speak English. Occasionally you have one who wants to practice English with you. Those are fun, but if you don't want to talk, wear an iPod or read a book.
2) Carry a map with you. Even if you have no idea where you are, it makes them behave slightly better and not drive you in circles. Ask the driver to help you find your start location on the map. That way he knows that you're keeping tabs.
3) Helpful hindi phrases for the phone:
I do not speak hindi -
Main hindi nahi bolta (male)
Main hindi nahi bolti (female)

It is difficult for me to understand hindi on the phone -
Telephone pe hindi samajhna mushkil hai

Speak slowly
Dheere boliye

Say that again
Phir se boliye

4) In cabs, drivers understand left and right, so if you know where you are going you can say 'yahi right lena' 'yahi left lena' and they will understand.

5) Drivers also understand English numbers but make sure that you remember your hindi numbers. So if you live in sector C-10, you can tell him you live at 'c-ten' but confirm it by saying 'c-dus' as well

6) You are NOT required to pay for CNG. If a driver is low on CNG, you have to get out of the cab (it's a safety thing). But you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY. If a driver makes you pay for CNG call the cab company immediately. This is not your responsibility.

7) If you have any complaints about your ride, call the company back. The dispatchers do not handle complaints. You will need to ask for a supervisor. Also know you can call during the ride if there are problems - driver driving rashly, overcharging you, driving you in circles. You have rights. Use them. If this happens, call and immediately ask to speak to a supervisor.

Hope this helps. Radio cabs are a VERY good way to get around in the heat or when you have lots of baggage. But be sure to be street smart no matter what form of transport you use. Delhi is a tough city

puchoo · May 19th, 2008, 11:55

This is routes car rentals...

Quote:

Originally Posted by triliana

I don't know the name of this one but 44404440 - DO NOT USE. Cabs are dirty, drivers will try to cheat foreigners even if you speak Hindi with them. Management doesn't really seem to care either. If you don't speak Hindi at all, avoid. Avoid anyway if you don't want to fight with the driver when he tries to overcharge you.

rhill1 · May 25th, 2008, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

People landing in Delhi consider pre-paid taxis as the only option, and they are not considered very safe. Various reports on IM and other sites have suggested lot of scams and scandals planned by the drivers of such cabs and how apprehensive they feel in them.

However not many people are aware of Radio Cabs operated in Delhi, So I thought I will start a thread and ask the mods to stick it so that people can become more aware of this excellent service.

Here are some advantage :

- The cars are very new and well maintained.
- Maruti Esteems and Tata Indigo Marinas.
- Can be pre-booked.
- Air-conditioned.
- More comfortable than any other cab.
- Boot space is good, and you don't have to pay extra for piece of luggages.
- Drivers reliable and courteous
- They run by meter and will not overcharge as they work for salaries and money goes to cab ccompany.
- They are tracked by GPS by their companies and connected via radio sets.

If you are going by meter its only Rs.15 per Kilometer. Which is around 10% higher that other pathetic cabs. Night charges are extra, I guess 25-30% of the metered fair.

In normal city commuting they have to be called preferably at least 2 hours in advance.

At the airport one of the companies rums a pre-paid counter for radio cabs as well, its a tad expensive that metered version and normal pre-paid cabs, however still a very good option when compared to hotel pickup and normal pre-paid cabs. Alternatively you can also follow the following method :

Before leaving your place, make a long distance call to one of these cab companies, and book a cab at around your landing time in Delhi. Commuters should keep in mind the delays, all flights to Delhi are delayed by an average of 10-20 minutes. After that you might have to collect your luggage. International commuters should also consider the immigration time and make a booking accordingly.

Once you land in Delhi call them from a local phone, and ask them alloted cab number and drivers mobile number. After that if you want you can call the driver and inquire about the status..

Remember this sounds a hassle, but I always use this method, but I carry my mobile phones so its easier for me and you actually do not need to worry a lot, as you are not paying any advance, if you feel apprehensive that they might not turn up OR you are not able to find them, then you always have their pre-paid counter in the airport..

Below are the name of Cab companies operating in Delhi and their numbers..national callers have to prefix city code of 011 and international callers have to put country code (091) and city code (011)..

Mega Cab : 1929, 41414141
Delhi Cab : 44333222
Metro Cab : 1923
Easy Cab : 43434343

Mod note and addition below at Shashank's request on 10/1/2008

Additionally:

Members can check when they book the car whether the service providers accept credit card or not, I guess all of them do accept.

Secondly Easy Cab (43434343) has an option for dropping you to the airport from any part of Delhi/NCR for Rs.350 or Rs.15 per km (Whichever is Lesser). Again users have to confirm the same when they place the call for booking.

many thanks for your post!!!! Am there in 30 days...have to decide whether to pre-book or go to one of these pre-paid ranks

rhill1 · May 25th, 2008, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by puchoo

From the time you get into the car 45 minutes max....that early in the morning has very very limited traffic.

get to Delhi 2.00am check through customs?? 3.00am?? how long to The Metropolitan Hotel near CP????

shashank.aggarwal · May 26th, 2008, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhill1

get to Delhi 2.00am check through customs?? 3.00am?? how long to The Metropolitan Hotel near CP????

not more than 30 minutes..

puchoo · May 26th, 2008, 11:48

Yep, about 30 minutes..

Apr 23rd, 2008, 04:25	#61
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 3,786	Prasanth - Pre-paid cabs are run by the police. Shashank started this thread for reasons in his OP. Radio cabs are different to pre-paid cabs but they do have a small counter at both Domestic and International airports where you can book from, just like pre-paid ones. This thread is not exactly the same topic as the one you have referred to in the link. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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May 13th, 2008, 16:34	#62
timepass18 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: mum Posts: 22	how much will a city tour of delhi cost me if a i use this radio cabs service??...i want to visit all the major places in delhi.. tx

May 13th, 2008, 22:41	#65
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Tagless Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 4,751	even 2 days are not enough...try to priortise, you need time to absorb things... All the things are close by, the farthest being the Qutub Minar and the Lotus temple. Rest all are in Central Delhi. It would be better to book a car and driver for a day, rather than radio cab, you might end up paying Rs.500-700 for 8 hours OR 80 KM...

May 13th, 2008, 22:49	#66
timepass18 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: mum Posts: 22	ohh..k..so can i hire the car from the hotel itself??..also...can u suggest me some budget hotel upto Rs600/night...i tried searching the database here, but to no avail..i didnt find evn a single hotel which would be reliable...is it necessary to pre-book the hotel..or can i find land up directly??..i will be coming on June 20

May 19th, 2008, 11:43	#70
triliana Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 61	My experience with Delhi radio cabs has been as follows: EASY CABS (43434343) - definitely the best of the lot. Long hold times sometimes. Difficult to get cabs at peak times. Drivers are good and about 50% of the time speak English (knowing Hindi is VERY HELPFUL though.) Had a bad driver once who took me in circles but I refused to pay for the circles and he was fine with it Cabs have toll stickers so you only have to pay the NH8 toll if going from Gurgaon to Delhi (plus fare of course) MEGA CABS (41414141) - also pretty decent, clean cabs like Easycabs. You get an SMS when driver is on his way. Drivers don't normally speak much English. Cabs do not have a toll sticker so you may be asked to pay 25 Rs when crossing from Gurgaon to Delhi or vice versa in addition to any toll on NH8. CHANSON (47774777) - often available when first two are busy. Drivers do not speak English (at least not well.) No good or bad experiences with them . I call, they take me where I need to go. Have never had to cross the border with them. I don't know the name of this one but 44404440 - DO NOT USE. Cabs are dirty, drivers will try to cheat foreigners even if you speak Hindi with them. Management doesn't really seem to care either. If you don't speak Hindi at all, avoid. Avoid anyway if you don't want to fight with the driver when he tries to overcharge you. Hints and tips: 1) All these companies book in English. Drivers usually do not speak English. Occasionally you have one who wants to practice English with you. Those are fun, but if you don't want to talk, wear an iPod or read a book. 2) Carry a map with you. Even if you have no idea where you are, it makes them behave slightly better and not drive you in circles. Ask the driver to help you find your start location on the map. That way he knows that you're keeping tabs. 3) Helpful hindi phrases for the phone: I do not speak hindi - Main hindi nahi bolta (male) Main hindi nahi bolti (female) It is difficult for me to understand hindi on the phone - Telephone pe hindi samajhna mushkil hai Speak slowly Dheere boliye Say that again Phir se boliye 4) In cabs, drivers understand left and right, so if you know where you are going you can say 'yahi right lena' 'yahi left lena' and they will understand. 5) Drivers also understand English numbers but make sure that you remember your hindi numbers. So if you live in sector C-10, you can tell him you live at 'c-ten' but confirm it by saying 'c-dus' as well 6) You are NOT required to pay for CNG. If a driver is low on CNG, you have to get out of the cab (it's a safety thing). But you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY. If a driver makes you pay for CNG call the cab company immediately. This is not your responsibility. 7) If you have any complaints about your ride, call the company back. The dispatchers do not handle complaints. You will need to ask for a supervisor. Also know you can call during the ride if there are problems - driver driving rashly, overcharging you, driving you in circles. You have rights. Use them. If this happens, call and immediately ask to speak to a supervisor. Hope this helps. Radio cabs are a VERY good way to get around in the heat or when you have lots of baggage. But be sure to be street smart no matter what form of transport you use. Delhi is a tough city

May 26th, 2008, 11:48	#75
puchoo Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 2,625	Yep, about 30 minutes..

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