SHILLONG: A section of the students from Garo Hills are not contented over the decision of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) to hike the bus fare from Shillong to the region.
Some students bewailed MTC’s decision to increase the bus fare to Rs 800 from the earlier price of Rs 500 has put them in a difficult situation.
“We will also not be provided with food during the journey. This decision to hike the bus fare is putting us in great difficulties,” a section of the students said.
They also informed that some of the students, who want to return to their home safely, lack money to pay the bus fare since they cannot withdraw money from the bank and even their debit cards are not working.
“We wonder if it is right on the part of the MTC to hike the fare at this point of the time when there is a feeling of panic among the people, especially the students community, who want to return home,” a section of the students said.
When contacted, MTC managing director, KL Nongbri, claimed that there were only two to three from among the 29 people, who visited the MTC office on Friday night with the request to drop them to Garo Hills.
According to Nongbri, majority of them are migrant workers since they had checked their documents.
“We coordinated with the deputy commissioner to get the pass. Due to social distancing, we had to send two buses to drop the 29 people to Garo Hills. In normal circumstance, one bus will be enough since we have 32-seater buses,” Nongbri said.
Informing that the buses will have to go all over Garo Hills from Rongjeng, Dainadubi, Resulbelpara, Williamnagar and finally to Tura, he said that the two buses will return without any passengers from Garo Hills.
“I had told my people yesterday (Friday) to work out the rate since two buses had to go. I have told my people to refund if any passengers are asking for refund,” Nongbri said.
Meanwhile, he said that the MTC will arrange two SPTS buses to drop around 100 students to West Khasi Hills on Sunday.
