Six private cars used as taxis, 12 bike taxis seized in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: Transport department officials on Saturday seized six own-board (white number plate) cars used as taxis and 12 bike taxis and imposed a total fine of Rs 1.80 lakh on them.Based on complaints about illegal taxis and bike taxis in the city, joint transport commissioner N Alagarasu instructed transport department officials to conduct surprise inspections. A team of officials, headed by RTO A S Viswanathan, conducted inspections and seized six cars and 12 bike taxes which were found operating without valid permits.Viswanathan said a fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on each vehicle. He cautioned that car owners should not rent out their vehicles without the proper permit. People should avoid opting for cars that are not permitted, he added. "Such special drives will continue, and stringent action will be taken against all vehicles found misusing permits in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act," he said.“Commercial vehicles must undergo an annual fitness check, pay permit fees and renew their permit every five years. In contrast, private vehicles do not require a fitness certificate for the first 15 years, and their insurance costs are lower. Because of this, some people rent out their private cars illegally at rates cheaper than those offered by registered companies,” said an official with the transport department.