Hyderabad: The sale of maxi cabs has fallen by about 10 per cent from 6,000 in 2015 to about 5,300 this year. The seven or eight-seat vehicles were the favourite taxis for family tours, but are being replaced by sedans.
TS Cabs and Bus Operators Association president Syed Nizamuddin attributed this to the family size becoming smaller.
Drivers with app-based cab services, too, are opting for sedans and hatchbacks for the same reason. Besides, a spokesperson for Ola said, the fare on maxi cabs is higher than on the smaller vehicles.
“It is easier to repay the loans that we take to purchase smaller cars,” said Mr K. Raghavenda Goud, cab driver-cum-owner.
The maxi cabs, including sports and multi utility vehicles, are also losing their biggest clientele: The IT industry. “Nowadays, 12- to 16-seater vehicles are proving to be more economical for the IT industry,” said Mr Sk Ashfaque, a maxi cab owner-cum-driver.
TS Cabs Owners association president T. Rajasekhar Reddy said the IT industry was also preferring 24-seater vehicles to transport staff.
