1 week Ago By Joy Sengupta
Pune: All PIN-based cab services at the city airport's AeroMall will be shifted to the first floor of the facility from next week onwards, so that passengers who need cabs immediately can avail them from a single place. AeroMall vice president YS Rajput told TOI on Sunday that the segregation will allow more order and less chaos. "At present, both Ola and Uber have started this PIN-based service for some of their segments.
While in Ola, the service has been activated for its SUV and Prime Plus segment, Uber has launched the same for its XL and Premier segments. The PIN system allowed passengers to immediately get cabs without any waiting time," the senior official said. For now, the second floor of the facility is engaged in cab pick-ups for arriving passengers.
Despite the PIN system being operational for over a month now, passengers have been complaining about long waits and other complexities in service. "With all PIN-based cabs shifting to one floor, there will be less confusion. Travelers can just go to the first floor, get cabs using the service and move out of the airport.
Both Ola and Uber are working on deputing staff on the first floor, and we are looking at starting pick-ups from next week. Another cab service called Cab-E will also shift operations to the first floor. These e-cabs can be booked on the spot by travellers.
The parking facility for commercial vehicles on the first floor will be shifted to the fourth floor," said Rajput. Passengers' concerns are rife at the moment. Traveller Harish Singh, who was returning from Delhi last week, said he had to wait for a cab for more than 40 minutes.
"This was even after I opted for the PIN system. The authorities told me no cabs of the segments in operation were available. I then cancelled and booked a cab using the normal process, which took more time.
During late evening hours, there is a lot of confusion here, some concrete redressals are needed," he said. Vishal Patodia, another traveller, pointed out, "Segments under the PIN system are very costly. If one has to travel from AeroMall to Undri in non-peak hours, the fare for Uber's XL and Premier segments is Rs600, compared to just around Rs260 for a regular cab.
During peak hours, fares spike up to Rs800-900 in these segments." Another airport official, choosing anonymity, told TOI, "The PIN system has been launched for those who are in a hurry to get out of the AeroMall. However, anyone can use it.
When it comes to regular cabs that are not under the system now, it is only during peak hours in the late evening that some chaos occurs. Between 10pm and midnight, many flights land here, and the influx of passengers rises. Moreover, cabs take time to reach nowadays due to bad road conditions and waterlogging.
" New counter at terminal The Pune airport authorities opened a new foreign exchange counter at the new terminal building on Saturday. "With this counter in place, travellers can easily handle their foreign exchange needs right at the airport, saving time and easing the pressure of last-minute currency swaps. The counter is equipped with the latest technology to ensure secure transactions, safeguarding passengers from fraud and theft," Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke said.
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