By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 18: To streamline tourist transportation between Meghalaya and Assam, the All Khasi Hills Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) has urged the state government to implement a reciprocal transport agreement.
The proposal was raised during a convention organised by the Tourism Department on Friday.
AKMTTA secretary Balajied Jyrwa said the association is seeking the inclusion of Meghalaya in the reciprocal transport agreement (RTA) framework with Assam to ensure smoother cross-border tourist transport.
“The main takeaway from the meeting was our push to implement the RTA in our state. This will help facilitate easier movement of tourist vehicles between Assam and Meghalaya,” Jyrwa said.
In addition to the RTA, discussions were held on the issuance of temporary permits for vehicles. The AKMTTA debated the efficiency and fairness of these permits, aiming to address concerns raised by its members regarding their access to operational rights in the tourism sector.
Another key point was the association’s demand for the government to integrate various organisations under the AKMTTA into the Tourism Department’s app.
Jyrwa emphasised the importance of app-based listings, stating that such a move would give local operators a fair chance to engage with tourists and improve their visibility. “We pushed the government to include organisations under AKMTTA in these apps, so they too can operate and carry tourist passengers,” he said.
Tourism Director Cyril Diengdoh, who presided over the meeting, said the government is taking practical steps to enhance the tourism experience. He revealed that a decision was made to develop an app to list all tourist taxi associations and their drivers.
“We will develop an app where tourists can access information about the different taxi associations, their drivers, and the routes they ply on. This will provide tourists with a convenient way to hire drivers while ensuring transparency,” he said.
The app will act as a one-stop platform for tourists, helping them make informed decisions while engaging local services.
“Today, the driver is not only a driver but also a tour guide. Tourists want to know about the places they visit, so our drivers need training in tour guiding, communication skills, and other relevant areas,” Diengdoh said.
The government plans to implement a comprehensive training programme for drivers across associations, with a list of drivers being compiled for this purpose.