SHILLONG/TURA: When the prices of petrol and diesel price are hiked, bus and taxi fares are also hiked. When the prices drop, there is no relief for commuters. Why?
The demand for reduction fares of buses, taxis and other mode of communication has gained momentum “since hike in fuel prices is always the reason for hike in fare rates.”
While several commuters in Shillong have sought the intervention of Meghalaya Transport department and the Urban and Municipal Affairs Departments to reduce the fare, in Garo Hills, the youth wing of the BJP in Garo has questioned as to why the Meghalaya Government has so far has not announced any reduction in fares when the fuel prices have com down drastically.
“There has been cut in fuel prices for several times since the BJP-led NDA government came to power at the Centre, but till date the Meghalaya government or the district administration has not taken any positive step to ease the sufferings of the general public who continue to pay very high fares to travel by three-wheeler autos and public buses,” pointed out BJP youth wing general secretary of Garo Hills Wilver M Danggo.
He said that each time fuel prices are increased, even by fifty paise, transporters and associations of buses and auto rickshaws raise a hue and cry, but when the cost of diesel and petrol have fallen by around three rupees to a litre all over the country no one has spoken about reversing the fares.
“When fares for transportation come down the cost of vegetables and other consumable items also fall which gives a lot of relief to the common people not just in Garo Hills but all over the country,” stated the BJP.