Maruti Omni Taxi Banned in WB: Justified?

sumeethaldankar · 27th November 2009, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

Its very very hard to justify banning it as a taxi when the Indian government sees nothing wrong in normal folks buying it. If anything, let the government be consistent. Is it safe? If yes, then let it be used as a taxi. If its not, why is it being sold to private owners. Heck, its even used by many many hospitals as ambulances.

Totally agree with this.How can one ban something which is used by the rest of the nation in terms of cabs or private vehicles.

Is the Omni banned by the WB govt for use by private owner's too?If that is the case then the ban is justfied.

mmmjgm · 27th November 2009, 18:26

To really understand this ban it is important to understand how cars are used (abused) in Kolkatta, uneven roads, non existent traffic knowledge and road sense, any one coming from any where and trams on the roads.

I had witnessed a shunt on a clean clear stretch of road, it was raining and night time in Kolkatta, where visibility was limited. A santro cut a lane, an ambassador taxi came from the left of the santro banged it (about a 10kmph shunt), and went off, no one stopped, neither the santro nor the amby taxi.

This is the way people drive there. I've seen two amby taxi drivers taking out road rage by banging their cars while moving opposite Forum (Elgin Road) in Kolkatta. This happened late at night.

A poor omni wont last five months in the rough traffic there. Anyways, the ban is rightful. The WB govt might just have enough accident fatalities data to back the ban if it goes to the courts.

ashutoshb · 27th November 2009, 18:48

Finally, someone realised it! It should have been banned years back! And Maruti is right.. its safe(r) than auto rickshaws!!

theMAG · 27th November 2009, 19:00

I completely support this move by the WB government. I will go on record saying that the Omni is the most unsafe vehicle by design in this country today.

Not having sufficient accident figures (as is most likely the case) is not justification of its safety.

naveenroy · 27th November 2009, 19:02

Justified. Again, justified.

McLaren Rulez · 27th November 2009, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by naveenroy

Justified. Again, justified.

Saying it twice doesn't make it true

blackasta · 27th November 2009, 21:03

I have seen omni 8 seater (white board - private car) being used as school van with 10-12 kids + driver cutting in and out of lanes under heavy traffic - hope the directive stops that.
One of my friends owns a omni, and by my experience, the car is very unstable and always tends to topple at high speed curves.

Aditya · 27th November 2009, 21:23

Yes, the Omni is unsafe in the event of a crash. But, think of it, with its 1950s constuction, how safe is the Ambassador? It is safer than an Omni, but honestly, the Indigo should replace it.

1100D · 27th November 2009, 23:50

Completely justified, but redundant move. Kolkata cab drivers and passengers swear by the Amby, it forms the character of the city, so no van could ever take its place.

Omni was approved as a cab a few years earlier, thre were just a couple of them for a few months, then everyone forgot about them.

I have seen two Indigo taxi's on the road, yellow with blue stripe. Spoke to one of the cabbie's, he wasn't very happy, he had only taken it on rent, and he was missing the Amby bootspace as well as road presence. 60 yr old still rocks.

Bhargava_sr · 28th November 2009, 01:38

Cheers to WB Govt, Omni is totally unsafe vehicle. It would be great if this is implemented all over the country.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 28th November 2009, 12:40

I support the move (partially) as well.

I dont see much logic in banning a car, but i think government should encourage companies to come up with better alternatives to the Omni.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

I completely support this move by the WB government. I will go on record saying that the Omni is the most unsafe vehicle by design in this country today.

What about the auto rickshaws?

meghan · 28th November 2009, 14:08

I feel this is a totally random move. I think if they are really concerned about safety, they can ban auto rickshaws first and really enforce compulsory seatbelt and helmet laws.

Starting off by banning Omni's IMHO is too dumb and not really going to affect mortalities much anyway. I don't support this at all.
If they want to do this, they might as well ban Omni's entirely, why only as taxis?

theMAG · 28th November 2009, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

What about the auto rickshaws?

They are glorified carts anyway !

sumitkalindi · 28th November 2009, 16:22

the main reason is the toughness of the AMBY's carrying huge load over the broken road surfaces. The only reason Amby's win hands down.

anjan_c2007 · 28th November 2009, 16:43

The decision may also have a bearing on the unruly Kolkata traffic wherein you find buses, trucks,minibuses, handcarts and even recklessly driven Ambys either alongside or near your bonnet or just touching your car's side or back or fender without any notice. Kolkata traffic is unsafe for two wheelers and the Omni is only a little bit safer than any two wheeler.
But if they were so much concerned about safety, why allow private owners to ply the Omni ? Are their lives cheaper than that of the taxi drivers and passengers?
An Omni with a gas cylinder within and with about 15-20 school children seated can be the most dangerous thing on the roads ever!

27th November 2009, 18:26	#32
mmmjgm BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: BOM, PNQ, DXB Posts: 398 Thanked: 30 Times	To really understand this ban it is important to understand how cars are used (abused) in Kolkatta, uneven roads, non existent traffic knowledge and road sense, any one coming from any where and trams on the roads. I had witnessed a shunt on a clean clear stretch of road, it was raining and night time in Kolkatta, where visibility was limited. A santro cut a lane, an ambassador taxi came from the left of the santro banged it (about a 10kmph shunt), and went off, no one stopped, neither the santro nor the amby taxi. This is the way people drive there. I've seen two amby taxi drivers taking out road rage by banging their cars while moving opposite Forum (Elgin Road) in Kolkatta. This happened late at night. A poor omni wont last five months in the rough traffic there. Anyways, the ban is rightful. The WB govt might just have enough accident fatalities data to back the ban if it goes to the courts.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 18:48	#33
ashutoshb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NOIDA Posts: 1,755 Thanked: 4,287 Times View My Garage	Finally, someone realised it! It should have been banned years back! And Maruti is right.. its safe(r) than auto rickshaws!!
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 19:00	#34
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	I completely support this move by the WB government. I will go on record saying that the Omni is the most unsafe vehicle by design in this country today. Not having sufficient accident figures (as is most likely the case) is not justification of its safety.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 19:02	#35
naveenroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 1,253 Times	Justified. Again, justified.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 21:03	#37
blackasta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: WB 26 Posts: 3,405 Thanked: 2,916 Times View My Garage	I have seen omni 8 seater (white board - private car) being used as school van with 10-12 kids + driver cutting in and out of lanes under heavy traffic - hope the directive stops that. One of my friends owns a omni, and by my experience, the car is very unstable and always tends to topple at high speed curves.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 21:23	#38
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 17,801 Thanked: 76,767 Times View My Garage	Yes, the Omni is unsafe in the event of a crash. But, think of it, with its 1950s constuction, how safe is the Ambassador? It is safer than an Omni, but honestly, the Indigo should replace it.
	() Thanks

27th November 2009, 23:50	#39
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,079 Times View My Garage	Completely justified, but redundant move. Kolkata cab drivers and passengers swear by the Amby, it forms the character of the city, so no van could ever take its place. Omni was approved as a cab a few years earlier, thre were just a couple of them for a few months, then everyone forgot about them. I have seen two Indigo taxi's on the road, yellow with blue stripe. Spoke to one of the cabbie's, he wasn't very happy, he had only taken it on rent, and he was missing the Amby bootspace as well as road presence. 60 yr old still rocks. Last edited by 1100D : 27th November 2009 at 23:51.
	() Thanks

28th November 2009, 01:38	#40
Bhargava_sr BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: HOSUR Posts: 317 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	Cheers to WB Govt, Omni is totally unsafe vehicle. It would be great if this is implemented all over the country.
	() Thanks

28th November 2009, 14:08	#42
meghan BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountain View Posts: 114 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	I feel this is a totally random move. I think if they are really concerned about safety, they can ban auto rickshaws first and really enforce compulsory seatbelt and helmet laws. Starting off by banning Omni's IMHO is too dumb and not really going to affect mortalities much anyway. I don't support this at all. If they want to do this, they might as well ban Omni's entirely, why only as taxis?
	() Thanks

28th November 2009, 16:22	#44
sumitkalindi BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 376 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	the main reason is the toughness of the AMBY's carrying huge load over the broken road surfaces. The only reason Amby's win hands down.
	() Thanks

28th November 2009, 16:43	#45
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,304 Thanked: 20,485 Times View My Garage	The decision may also have a bearing on the unruly Kolkata traffic wherein you find buses, trucks,minibuses, handcarts and even recklessly driven Ambys either alongside or near your bonnet or just touching your car's side or back or fender without any notice. Kolkata traffic is unsafe for two wheelers and the Omni is only a little bit safer than any two wheeler. But if they were so much concerned about safety, why allow private owners to ply the Omni ? Are their lives cheaper than that of the taxi drivers and passengers? An Omni with a gas cylinder within and with about 15-20 school children seated can be the most dangerous thing on the roads ever!
	() Thanks