Non-maintenance takes heavy toll
SHILLONG: Scores of Maxi taxis, which were sanctioned by the Centre, have gone kaput owing to lack of maintenance.
A visit to the parking lot near Ward’s Lake shows several such cabs in irreparable condition with missing tyres, seats and headlights. Official at the Shillong Municipal Board said out of around 217 vehicles, more than 60 are lying idle at the parking lot.
The officials said they had written to the district transport officer (DTO) asking whether these vehicles could be operated again after repair.
The Maxi cabs started plying on city roads in 2011-12 and the new mode of public transport was a welcoming change for the citizens.
The taxis, awarded to the State government under the 13th Finance Commission, were outsourced to self-help groups. It was, however, not known how much revenue was generated from the vehicles, whose poor maintenance was apparent and commuters would often complain about the unclean taxis. When asked about this, Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh said he was keen to revive the Maxi cabs as well as the SPTS buses. “Once the agreement with these operators lapses, we will look to revive the services with proper agreement that will address the concerns of the public,” the minister added.
Lyngdoh said the idea behind the service is to provide cheap and efficient public transport and that the department is keen to ensure that the service continues. The department is planning to introduce the Maxi cabs and buses on those routes where private operators are not functioning.
The condition of the SPTS buses is equally pathetic. Though new buses have been sanctioned to the State, the tendering and selection of operator for those buses have not been completed till now and thus the buses are still lying idle in different parking lots of the town.