By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Passengers travelling to the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport, Guwahati from Shillong to catch their flights no longer need to pay hefty amounts for the journey.
The State Government is set to launch a daily transport service from Shillong to the Guwahati Airport for the benefit of the air passengers from Shillong.
Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday informed that 7 deluxe Wingers would be flagged off on December 7 which will operate on a daily basis between Shillong and LGBI Airport.
The move to launch the public transport facility is seen as a significant step in view of the fact that almost forty per cent of air passengers in the LGBI Airport hail from Shillong.
Presently, tourist taxis charge around Rs 500 per passenger and Rs 2000 and more for hiring a vehicle from Shillong to LGBI Airport and the rates double when air passengers have to leave at midnight or the early morning hours to catch the first few flights of the day.
“The AC vehicles will have a seating capacity of nine,” Ampareen informed.
The Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has been selected as the nodal agency for the vehicles which will charge Rs 350 per passenger.
“These vehicles will ferry air passengers from Shillong to LGBI Airport and also ferry passengers from the airport to Shillong,” she said.
She informed that the passengers would have the option of either booking tickets in advance or directly buying them from the counter, provided tickets are available.
Initially, the Government plans to run the services in two segments – one to cater the passengers who have to catch their early morning flight and the other for those passengers who have to catch their flight in the afternoon or evening.