[Ashley2]

Etios is fairly a better choice. My friend uses it as a taxi and is been used for corporates. Maintenance is fairly less. Btw, may I know why taxi operators are switching away from Indica/go

[joybhowmik]

I would second other's views here...
Swift/Dzire = Not as a taxi , for the limited boot space
Liva/Altis - Good as a taxi but slightly premium
Polo/Vento - Not as a taxi, because of iffy after sales.

Why don't you look at Santro/WagonR - but give nice after market seats?

[Leymama]

Toyota Etios could be an option

[manikjeet]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Btw, may I know why taxi operators are switching away from Indica/go

The Customer wants a more upmarket car. So their are no takers for Indica and go. And also Anything is better than a TATA.

PS These are not my words but from a Person who is into this business for about 20 years now.

[arnabchak]

VOted for Others:

My options:

1) EECO CNG- Space and more Space+ Frugal
2) Verito Vibe. Essentially a small Logan. Same engine and better NVH

[hserus]

I don't know if it has been pointed out, but there are only certain models which can be licensed as "yellow plate" taxis in India, according to a taxi driver I was chatting with on a long airport trip recently.

Swift Dzire and Toyota Etios have only recently been approved, but otherwise

1. Mahindra Logan
2. Tata Indica
3. Tata Indigo (and Marina / Manza variants)
4. Toyota Innova
5. Maruti Esteem
6. Maruti Omni

I could be wrong and am working from memory here .. and also based on what the cabbie told me.

[DWind]

Talking of Taxi Operations I do not see any AL Stile on the road? It was targeted specifically for Commercial operation or did the operators found it too basic to their liking?

[eyesice]

Here in Chennai, I am off late seeing, Ritz and Beat being driven as taxis.

[theexperthand]

Of late, I am seeing Fiat Punto as taxis here - saw a recently delivered one today (the old model, not the Evo).
Also, saw a Vibe taxi on my recent trip to Kerala.

--Anoop

[girishglg]

Recently have seen many Micras as taxis especially in the Ola colours. Have not personally experienced in one of those except for sitting in one in the showroom when launched.

However the space seems to be in the league of the Santro and could be a good alternative for the Mumbai taxis as well!

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by hserus

I don't know if it has been pointed out, but there are only certain models which can be licensed as "yellow plate" taxis in India, according to a taxi driver I was chatting with on a long airport trip recently.

Swift Dzire and Toyota Etios have only recently been approved, but otherwise

1. Mahindra Logan
2. Tata Indica
3. Tata Indigo (and Marina / Manza variants)
4. Toyota Innova
5. Maruti Esteem
6. Maruti Omni

I could be wrong and am working from memory here .. and also based on what the cabbie told me.

- I have see fortuner, Accord, City taxis in India and also seen BMW/Audi yellow board too(commercial and not self driven). Not sure on what "rule" it is. I know that Mobilio has not yet been started to register as a commercial vehicle.

I cannot recollect a single common vehicle that i have not seen registered as a commercial segment car.

Originally Posted by DWind

Talking of Taxi Operations I do not see any AL Stile on the road? It was targeted specifically for Commercial operation or did the operators found it too basic to their liking?

I have seen Stile taxis in Chennai, sporting a "Fast Track" sticker. In Fact it was hired. I saw people sitting in it and also the meter was running.

[hserus]

He is quite likely wrong but I've heard this from more than one guy when I ask him why he doesn't pick a different car, even while he keeps cursing the indica for being a pig to maintain

[bigben]

Even the Toyota Etios and Liva are 2 other options that can be looked at by the cab wallas. They are big on space and being a Toyota I presume they will be easy on maintenance.

we have them being used as taxis here in Hyderabad. Probably used to ferry passengers without luggage.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by hserus

I don't know if it has been pointed out, but there are only certain models which can be licensed as "yellow plate" taxis in India, according to a taxi driver I was chatting with on a long airport trip recently.

Swift Dzire and Toyota Etios have only recently been approved, but otherwise

1. Mahindra Logan
2. Tata Indica
3. Tata Indigo (and Marina / Manza variants)
4. Toyota Innova
5. Maruti Esteem
6. Maruti Omni

I could be wrong and am working from memory here .. and also based on what the cabbie told me.

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

- I have see fortuner, Accord, City taxis in India and also seen BMW/Audi yellow board too(commercial and not self driven). Not sure on what "rule" it is. I know that Mobilio has not yet been started to register as a commercial vehicle.

I cannot recollect a single common vehicle that i have not seen registered as a commercial segment car.

Agree with both of you. Even I am not sure if there is any such rule barring a particular model from being registered as a commercial vehicle. In fact, the reverse is quite common and is valid for pickups where payload > passenger capacity.

Having said that, I don't recall seeing *any* of the luxo barges on yellow plates. Almost all of them seem to be on black plates (w/ yellow letters). These types of plates are usually most seen in Goa rental market. Legally only these can be let out as self drives and the driver need not hold a commercial vehicle license.

Apart from the license thingy for the driver, I am guessing there must be a difference in the tax structure, fitness requirements, permit requirements for yellow and black plates.

[salilpawar1]

This funda about a car needing state approval for yellow board registration is restricted to certain states (e.g. TN) if I am not wrong.