The project of the Prime Transport Limited was considered at the high-level meeting on President's Special Initiatives on Investment, which was jointly chaired by President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on May 10.
The aim of the project is to assemble/manufacture Black Cabs of UK in Pakistan and operations thereof in all major cities, as Satellite-Controlled Taxi Service.
All ministries and departments concerned were directed to finalise the permissions and sanctions required and remove the impediments within maximum period of 10 days for implementation of the project.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has agreed to provide parking space and booking offices at all domestic and international airports for operations of Black Cabs.
The Prime Transport Limited chief executive, who was present in the meeting, was advised to ensure that the operations of the Satellite-Controlled Taxi Service are started within the period from mid-June to July this year.
The Prime Transport Limited envisages importing the vehicles in CBU form to commence the operations within the stipulated time. As soon as the land is handed over to the Prime Transport Limited the civil work and erection of car assembly plant will be taken in hand to assemble the vehicle locally for continuous augmentation in the fleet.
With a view to commencing operations in several cities within the minimum possible time, the Prime Transport may bring in the idea of franchise in public transport system without compromising on the quality standard of services.
The Black Cab is only purpose built taxi, wherein all aspects of convenience and safety have taken care of it has seating capacity of six passengers with considerable leg space. It is fitted with wheel chair ramp enabling the patients and disabled to conveniently board and travel in their wheel chairs.
The Prime Transport envisages linking the operations with a Central Dispatch Centre containing state-of-the-art instruments of communications, tracking and monitoring of the vehicles. This will ensure safe, economical, reliable and convenient transportation to the commuters. The cabs will be available on telephone call, SMS or e-mail.
In order to provide maximum safety and confidence to women and children, the dispatch centre will keep constant monitoring of vehicle through surveillance cameras and tracking system the vehicle will be fitted with mobile data terminals, seat and door sensors, corporate and credit cards readers for smart payment. The digital meters will be free from control of drivers and would not admit any tempering to ensure economy for the commuters.