By Our Reporter
Shillong: The war of words between the state government and the East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA) over the issue of Shillong Public Transport Buses (SPTS) buses plying with private registration number has irked a number of local passengers who are the ones most likely to be affected by it.
“The issue raised by the taxi association is silly and its one of their tactics to get rid of these buses from the streets so that they can continue to play with the commuters,” a passenger said.
It may be recalled that the association had questioned the state government for allowing the STPS buses and the recently launched maxi taxis bearing the number ML01 to ply the streets for commercial purpose stating that this is a clear violation of the Central Motor Vehicle Act.
However, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh defended the move saying that STPS buses are meant to serve the general public and not to earn money.
Meanwhile, a section of people are of the opinion that
ever since these buses were released, the high handedness of most taxi drivers has doubled. “When you are in a hurry and couldn’t wait for these SPTS buses to come, you tend to take a taxi and the irony is that you have to pay double the fare under such circumstances,” an office goer lamented.
However, despite the limited number of buses plying in the city roads, majority of the public are of the opinion that the SPTS project has benefitted the city residents in a great way.