With affordable fare, courteous and trained chauffeurs, the radio taxis have announced their arrival on Delhi's roads.

In the last six months, more than 500 radio taxis have been introduced in the capital. By 2010, their population is expected to climb to 5,000.

The idea behind these taxis is safe and comfortable public transport for tourists in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games and, of course, for people who lives in Gurgaon but works in South Delhi.

"It's so convienient. You just make call and the cab is at your doorstep. The best part about these cabs is that the driver doesn't zip through the way. They don't go beyond 50-60," said Madhu Kapur, businesswoman.

These air-conditioned taxis have a flat rate of Rs 15 per kilometer and are monitored by a GPS system so the headquarters know where the taxis are at all times.

Credit cards are accepted by all these taxis.

Delhi's traditional black and yellow cabs are 30 per cent cheaper than radio taxis but they're now struggling to survive as Delhi is clearly willing to pay more for a smoother ride.

"Our business has reduced by half due to these radio cabs. They have new drivers who don't know their way around but people take them only because their cars are air conditioned," said Gurudev Singh, taxi owner.

But what seems to be the biggest plus of radio taxis are their drivers. The four operators who run these cabs say they insist on Class 12 graduates who're given a crash course in English before they're allowed onto the road.

Traffic rules

Any driver who gets more than one challan or fine is dismissed.

"Every driver undergoes stringent training. Checks are made regarding any previous criminal records before he is awarded with the Driver's badge. He is taught some English and taught how to be polite to passenger," said Ashok Vashist, COO, Easy Cabs.

Armed with a hidden camera, NDTV traveled in three radio cabs. Only one driver broke the rules by talking on his cell phone.

Austrian tourist Vera is certainly convinced. She often spends time in Delhi on business…and radio cabs…have made her trips much more pleasant.

"Once when I sat in a cab there were two people sitting in it. I called my friend and she told me it's not normal. I had not considered safety before this. That's when I switched to radio cabs. I feel much safer in them as they can be tracked and monitored," said Vera, Business Tourist.

One complaint that is common against radio cabs is that in rush hour, they can take upto 30 minutes to arrive but as their strength and numbers increase that problem will hopefully disappear.

For now it's goodbye yellow and blacks and hello radio taxis.

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070021706