Best Mumbai taxi services

Unlike auto rickshaws, which are restricted to the suburbs, Mumbai taxis will take you anywhere. They come in various shapes and sizes though, so you'd better know how to pick them.

The rattling black-and-yellow Premier Padmini, a veritable Mumbai icon, is rapidly being replaced by a new assortment of hatchbacks. There are half a dozen private radio taxi services for cabs on-call, and one or two chick-friendly cab services too.

This guide to Mumbai taxi services has everything except, that is, a solution to the city's traffic chaos.

More on CNNGo: Mumbai taxi: 10 tips to make you a smarter passenger

Radio Mumbai taxi services

Radio taxis -- in neon green, gold, silver and black -- have changed the way Mumbai travels.

In just a few years, demand has outgrown supply. Run by private companies, radio taxis are clean, prompt (ish), safe (trackable on GPS), air-conditioned and offer superb value.

To book a cab, you must call or go online and give them your pick-up and drop address.

If they have a taxi available, you will be given the number of the car and driver. Often he will ring you for a landmark.

Depending on proximity, the taxi could take anything from 10 minutes to 45 minutes to arrive.

• Meru +91 (0)22 44224422;  www.merucabs.com

• Mega +91 (0)22 42424242; www.megacabs.com

• Easy +91 (0)22 43434343; www.easycabs.com

• Gold +91 (0)22 32449999/32443333; www.mumbaigoldcabs.com

Fare structure: Pick-up: Rs 22; every subsequent kilometer: Rs 13-15, depending on the company. • Most also levy a waiting charge that starts at Rs 0.50 per minute. • Night charge (1 a.m-5 a.m.) Flag-down: Rs 27.5; every subsequent kilometer Rs 16.25-18.5. • Private cabs now accept debit and credit cards.

Features:

• The taxis use tamper-proof electronic fare meters and issue a receipt on payment.

• Some taxis are now equipped with speed gauges so if the car exceeds the permissible limit, an automated message warns the driver.

• Clean, prompt (ish), safe (trackable on GPS) but a tad expensive. Private cabs are an answer to many Mumbai road woes.

• On the flip side, it’s terribly difficult to book one for short distances like Andheri to Bandra.

• Meru, Mega and Easy cabs all have counters at Mumbai airport. 

Cool Cabs

Cool Cabs are air-conditioned and easy to identify by their bright blue bodies. They have long been the best (and only) alternative to the old black-and-yellow cabs in the city.

But now with the influx of new black-and-yellows and private cabs, Cool Cab patrons are steadily dwindling.

Rude drivers, faulty meters and sparse availability ensure commuters opt for alternatives.

Fare structure: • Flag-down: Rs 20. The fare is a combination of distance and time and averages 40 percent more than black-and-yellow cabs. • Night charge (1:00-5:00 a.m.) is 25 percent on top of the fare.

Features:

• The newer private taxis cruise overtake Cool Cabs in service and prices.

• Though equipped with meters, drivers often push for fixed rates depending on distance.

Premier Padminis (black-and-yellow)

In keeping with their vintage status, the kaali-peeli, or black-and-yellow, Premier Padminis often have doors and windows that don’t open or close properly.

The upholstery radiates max heat in summer. The musty monsoon season makes traveling this way especially trying when the seats are wet and the windows don’t do much to keep the water out.

Though at one time it was impossible to imagine Mumbai without these conveyances, slowly but steadily, they’re being replaced by the newer hatchback assortment.

Fare structure: • Flag-down: Rs 16; every subsequent kilometer: Rs 10. • Night charge (midnight to 5.30 a.m.) starts at Rs 20, working out to about 25 percent more than day fare. This only applies if you board the cab past midnight. Drivers often fail to mention this, so take note. • Though this isn’t always successful, some drivers forgo a night charge if you negotiate. This is especially true for long distances.

Features:

• Kaali-peelis are slow and, therefore, feel safer. Speed limits never exceed 50 kph.

• They don’t have electronic meters so you have to trust the driver and his fare card. Or download MeterDown, a popular iPhone app that updates when rates change.

• Not air-conditioned.

• Allow illegal smoking, but the ashtray can come off in your hand.

• Most drivers refuse to travel short distances and may refuse you point-blank even in a downpour.

New black-and-yellow cabs

A new and varied fleet of black-and-yellow cabs has hastened the demise of the iconic Premier Padmini.

Altos, Santros, Wagon Rs, Indicas, Esteems and Omnis have taken over Mumbai’s streets making road travel a lot less bumpy.

Enough people now don’t mind waiting an extra five minutes because they know if they forego the Padmini, a Santro will roll right round and it will be a more comfortable journey on the whole.

Fare structure: • Flag-down: Rs 16; every subsequent kilometer: Rs 10. • Night charge (Midnight-5:00 a.m.) is 25 percent on top of your fare.

Features:

• New taxis use electronic meters that flash the fare up front eliminating complicated fare cards.

• Because of their brand new status (compared to the Padminis), these are a lot higher on the comfort factor.

• Factory-equipped with air conditioners. Most drivers are open to switching it on for additional money above the fare, though they're not licensed to do so. But that's Mumbai.

Women-friendly Mumbai taxi services

If you feel safer with a woman at the wheel, especially during odd hours, try these Mumbai taxi services. Their fleets are smaller though (Priyadarshini owns just 20 vehicles) so you need to give more notice and they are more expensive than other private cabs.

• Forshe +91 (0)22 44333222; www.forshe.co.in

They charge Rs 200 for the first 10 kilometers and Rs 15 for every subsequent one.

Night charges (11 p.m.-6 a.m.) are Rs 250 for first 10 kilometers plus Rs 20 for every subsequent one.

Bookings should be made 12 hours in advance between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Waiting charge: Rs 100 for every 20 minutes.

• Viira +91 (0)22 61206120

Flag-down: Rs 22; Rs 17 for every subsequent kilometer.

Night charges (10 p.m.-6 a.m.) are Rs 30, plus Rs 22 for every subsequent one.

Book at least three hours in advance.

More on CNNGo: Viira Cabs: Lady chauffeurs for Mumbai

• Priyadarshini +91 (0)22 43333999

They charge Rs 200 for the first 10 kilometers, and Rs 15 for every subsequent one.