There lies no respite for passengers travelling in the much applauded maxi taxi’s as one issue paves way for another.
After the complaints of over charging by the drivers of the maxi taxis, now the much-appreciated cabs are indulging in over loading.
On Monday, many vehicles were seen over loading with passengers even though the seating capacity in the vehicles is 10 including driver.
Some commuters also complained that some of the drivers are putting 11 passengers including 9 at the back and 2 at the front seats.
This is against the maximum seating capacity and adds to the discomfort of commuters.
This ongoing complaints against the maxi taxis indicate that even they are going the ‘local taxi way’ as in the past there has been complaints of over charging and overloading by the local cabbies which continues to be the same ion many instances.
“These cabs have been appreciated so they should maintain the decorum of the vehicle but some of them over load passengers like sheep,” an irritated commuter said.
“It seems even these drivers are following the footsteps of local taxi drivers,” another passenger said.
Earlier also commuters had complained of overcharging and rude behaviour of the Shillong Supplementary public transport services (SSPTS) or the red maxi cabs.
The Shillong Municipal Board which is the nodal agency for the vehicles have already issued a warning to all the drivers to adhere with all the norms.
“We have already and warned them and if they indulge in such activities we will immediately terminate them from the services,” SMB CEO T Lyngwa said on Monday.
It may be mentioned that 40 maxi taxis were allocated to the State under the 13th finance commission and a few more have been pressed into service following its rising demand among public.
The need of the hour is to maintain standards and evoke the same thrilling response from the public everytime one boards the taxi and not cry with discomfort.
While we wait for the rules to be implemented, the short and long distance by these taxis have to be covered with the same discomfort that was a trademark of local cabs.
(By Aafaque Hussain)