Steep hike in Meghalaya taxi fare irritates tourists & travellers

SHILLONG: The taxi fares in Meghalaya has seen a massive upturn post the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence cushioning the losses incurred during the lockdown time, the taxi drivers in the Meghalaya have allegedly hiked the fares without seeking any approval from the competent authorities.

A person who frequently travels on the Guwahati-Shillong route said that the cabbies driving Swift Dzire (sedan) charge Rs 1,000 per head from Shillong to Guwahati and vice versa. Furthermore, booking a cab from Shillong to the LGFBI airport in Borjhar costs around Rs 4,000. Meanwhile, Sumos are charging Rs 400-500 per head for the same journey.

Referring to the Shillong-Jowai route, afrrequent commuter said that Sumos currently charge Rs 250 per head while cabbies driving the sedan charge Rs 300 per head. For the Shillong-Ladrymbai route, a Swift Dzire driver charges Rs 500 while those driving Sumos charge Rs 400. Many drivers claim that the recent hike in the fare is the result of an increase in petrol prices.

Earlier in June 2020, the Meghalaya Cabinet had ruled out any hike in taxi and autorickshaw fares but approved an increase in rates for the State-run carriages, minibuses and maxi cabs. Speaking to media, Deputy Chief Minister PrestoneTynsong said the rates for taxis approved in January 2020 were Rs 26 per km and Rs 13 for additional km thereafter while for autorickshaws it is Rs 14 per km and Rs 6 for every additional km thereafter. The Meghalaya Cabinet, however, has approved a proposal put forth by the Transport department for a hike in rates of State-run carriages, minibuses and 7-12 seater maxi cabs.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also approved a hike of Rs 1.05 per passenger per km to Rs 1.8 per passenger per km.

The Minister further added that the approved rate for 7-12 seaters maxi cabs/sumos in the State was hiked from Rs 1.5 per head per km to Rs 3.6 per head per km in the State with immediate effect. (Agencies)

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