Taming cabbies on ISBT route difficult: Dasakhiat

SHILLONG, May 3: The woes of people travelling between Shillong and the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Mawiong are far from over even though the state government is working on a solution.
Transport Minister, Dasakhiatbha Lamare told The Shillong Times that the fares charged by the taxi drivers were beyond the control of the department.
The local cabbies have been charging Rs 400-800 from passengers to travel a distance of 10 km.
The Transport department has been fixing the taxi rates but has not been able to stop some cabbies from charging exorbitant fares.
“There are a few drivers who want to take advantage but there are hundreds of taxi drivers who are charging the prescribed rates,” the minister said.
Admitting that it is a sensitive problem, Lamare said many organisations have approached him to look into the matter.
“The department is trying to work out a mechanism to address the concern,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Regional Transport Authority of East Khasi Hills had fixed the rate of local taxis ferrying passengers to and from the IBST.
According to the order, the rate from ISBT to and from Police Bazar, Iewduh and Polo is Rs 300 on a booking basis.