Tata Nano budget taxi service in operation in Sri Lanka
A new addition to the three wheelers that ply the roads in Sri Lanka is the Tata Nano. The three wheeler auto is a common public carrier in Sri Lanka and has been a successful taxi service that works in that country. Its president Lalith Dharnasekera announced the inclusion of the Tata Nano as part of the association’s public carriage service.
The company name under which the taxi service works in Sri Lanka and of which Lalith is the President, is Three Wheel Lanka Tours and Travels Company. Including the Tata Nano as part of the company fleet was with the aim to help improve the drivers living conditions. Some of the drivers who form the association own these Nano cabs. The company from its side offers call center facility for which the cab owners have to pay a nominal amount.
Youths of the country are given a job at these call centers which any one can call up and request for a three wheeler or a Nano cab service. There are 100 such centers spread all over the country providing jobs to 500 youths in all. The main company has a subsidiary also named Three Wheel Lanka Pvt. Ltd which has a fleet of 1500 three wheelers that it operates. Mr. Lalith has also given the option of financing the purchase of a Tata Nano for those drivers of the association who wish to operate the same. The company pays the Rs. 250,000 that the car costs on behalf of the driver. The entire operation of the company is very popular as per Lalith given the huge demand that they receive every day. Charges for hiring the taxi both three and Nano is also very reasonable as per the company President Lalith. For the three wheeler taxi service, the charge is Rs 30 per km and for the Nano it is Rs. 100 for first two km and further Rs 40 per km.
Taxi service in Sri Lanka had started in 1978 with the Morris Minor being the first car to be used for the purpose. To provide for cheaper service the three wheeler option was found to be a better option. Richard Pieris & Company was the pioneer company to introduce this form of transport in the country. The Company had imported three wheelers made by Bajaj Company in India and started off the taxi services in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, Bajaj too has a ultra cheap car like the Nano in its portfolio now.
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