[sustran] Re: Information on 'Bike Taxi'

[Kisan Mehta]

Dear Colleagues,

We wonder  whether two wheeler motorcycles operating as raxi carrying 
the commuter on the pilion can provide alternative to single occupancy motor
cycle owners.  So vehicle owners would continue to have own 2, 3 and 4 
wheeler vehicles and two wheeler taxies would reduce public transport 
occupancy.   Net result would be more vehicles on the road or increased 
inefficiency of public transport. 

The only way one can hope to mitigate congestion is by making movement and 
storing of petroleum guzzling vehicles severely difficultto the extent that the 
owners find it exasperating and damn costly.  Rising international crude oil prices 
should be allowed to play their role.  Though these prices are near to crossing 
US $ 50 a barrel barriei and would most likely touch $ 60 coupled dueto 
worsening conditions in Iraq and the Bush failure to dislodge Chavaz as the 
president of Venezuela and to put up a puppet who will put Venezuela's large 
potential to supply oil at the command of the USA,  developing countries 
continue to sibsidise heavily to vehicle owners by providing motor fuel at 
extremely low rate.    This promotes proliferation of vehicles.   

For example, India reduced the import duty on crude to maintain the same 
outlet prices to enable motorists to run their vehicles without any limit.  
Retail prices in the UK is around 80 pence while in India minimum 40% 
lower.  Shortfall is debited to the state exchequer resulting in curtailment of 
other essential services to the poor. 

Anilbhai, you should look to avenues other than introducing motor bike taxies. 
Nepal is solely dependent  on import of every drop of fuel.   You should think
of increasing publiuc transport.    Best wishes.

Kisan Mehta
Tel: 00 91 22 2414 9688 
Mobile:  ..... 92234 48857         
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Anil K. Raut 
  To: Asia and the Pacific sustainable transport 
  Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 8:37 AM
  Subject: [sustran] Re: Information on 'Bike Taxi'


  Hello Paul:

  Yes, I know there are some confusions regarding my question. I was meant to the 'two-wheeler taxis' common in Bangkok. I am wondering, could these motor-bike taxis play some role in congested streets. I have seen mostly the occupancy of the regular taxi is only one person. If we could divert these customers to the motor-bike taxis, we could avoid congestion as well as the reduce the fuel consumption and also save time (fast riding).

  In case of Kathmandu, there is sharp rise in motor-bike number (private) for last some years and I guess this is because of the some of these positive points of motor-bike & cost of course. BUT, I am supporter of the 'mass-transport'. So I am not saying only these motor-bike taxis would be solution, but we could explore its share on public transportation.

  Any thoughts??

  Regards,

  Anil
  ----------------------------
  Anil K. Raut
  P. O. Box 8846
  Kathmandu, NEPAL
  E-mail: ankraut at wlink.com.np; anil at environmentnepal.com.np
  Tel: 977-1-4232761 (Res.)/977-9841233941 (Mobile)

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Paul Barter 
    To: Asia and the Pacific sustainable transport 
    Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 7:41 AM
    Subject: [sustran] Re: Information on 'Bike Taxi'


    In the responses to this question I wonder if there is some confusion
    over what Anil meant? Maybe Anil can clarify to avoid further confusion.
    Various answers seem to be refering to one of the following: 

    A.  bicycle taxis (where a paying passenger sits on a seat behind the
    rider and which I have seen in the Kota district of Jakarta for example,
    and read about in Uganda);  

    B.  pedicabs (three-wheeled pedalled vehicles as taxis, also called
    cycle rickshaws, becak and many other names. Variations exist in many
    countries, especially in Asia)

    or 
    C.  Motorcycle taxis (which are common in Bangkok, in many Indonesian
    cities and towns, where they are called 'ojek', and probably elsewhere.)
    I think this is probably what Anil meant, given his reference to
    Bangkok?)

    Paul

    --------
    Anil K. Raut" <ankraut at wlink.com.np> wrote:
    "Could anyone help me finding out information on 'Bike Taxi'? I have
    seen it in Bangkok. Are there other cities using it? What are the
    environmental benefit/cost of these bike taxies?"
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