Public transport in Mumbai

QUESTION: We will be in Mumbai in December. Transport from the airport is provided, but I am concerned about transportation around the city. Is public transport reliable? Do you have any tips? - Sylvie Naidoo

ANSWER: You won't have any difficulty locating auto-rickshaws and taxis on the city's main streets, but you could have a problem getting them to use the meter. Insist - and check what you should pay on the fare chart, which the driver has to produce when asked. There is a surcharge from midnight to 6am. For tourists, it is often far less bother to opt for the blue and white "cool cabs", which have air conditioning and are slightly more expensive than other taxis. The drivers will usually use the meters without being asked or you can negotiate an hourly fare with the driver (around US$25 for four hours or US$40 for the whole day). If you are commuting in and out of the city, you can use the air conditioned bus service run by BEST. You can buy a BEST Day Pass for 40 Rupees (around R7), which entitles you to unlimited travel. If you are concerned about negotiating transport in the city, you can approach a travel agency and get them to arrange a car and driver to work for you throughout your stay. Let the agency haggle on your behalf and you will probably end up with a reasonable deal.