By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Public transport system in the city is set to get a major boost when the State Government launches the maxi taxi service later this month.
Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, on Thursday, told The Shillong Times that the maxi taxis would be launched all over the State between December 19 and 21.
The taxis, awarded to the State Government under the 13th Finance Commission, would run on those routes which are presently not being covered by the SPTS buses.
Ampareen informed that a committee would be formed under the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to run the proposed taxis. Unemployed youths who will operate the maxi taxis will be provided necessary training, she added.
“Initially we will launch ten taxis each in Shillong, Tura and Jowai,” she said, while adding that ten taxis would also be allotted to Baghmara and seven taxis each would be sanctioned for Williamnagar and Resubelpara towns.
The maxi taxi, which would have seating capacity for 7-8 passengers, will be initially launched on a trial basis. The SMB would act as the nodal agency to ensure the smooth operation of the new service.
On the maintenance and smooth functioning of the taxis, Ampareen said, “We have to learn from the mistakes which have occurred earlier in the SPTS buses.”
It may be mentioned that despite the introduction of the SPTS, commuters in Shillong continue to suffer as cabbies prefer to pick up long distance passengers only and charge arbitrary fares from the hapless passengers.
The SPTS buses have come as a huge relief for the commuters and it is believed that the proposed maxi taxis would further strengthen public transport system in the city, besides easing traffic congestion in the city.