By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the Legislative Assembly election due in ten days’ time, daily commuters in the city are witnessing a scarcity of public transport vehicles as most of these vehicles are being hired by politicians and political parties for election campaigning.
Adding to the problem is the fact that many private transporters have been keeping their vehicles in their garage fearing requisition by the Government.
The few commercial vehicles which are still in operation have now begun to charge exorbitant rates from helpless commuters who have no option other than silently paying the ‘extra fare’.
Till a few days back, Tata Sumos plying between Shillong and Guwahati were charging Rs 150 per passenger but now these vehicles have hiked their fares to Rs 200.
Smaller cars like Indica etc., who were earlier charging Rs 300 per passenger and Rs 1200 for bookings, have now arbitrarily hiked their fares to Rs 500 per passenger and up to Rs 2000 for bookings.
The drivers explain that they were over charging because there were fewer vehicles and also because the ‘middlemen’ who bring in passengers, have also hiked their charges.
Explaining the reason for overcharging, another tourist driver said, “Since we easily get four to five thousand rupees per day we are more than happy to take our vehicles to political rallies and campaigns.”
The passengers, who are at the receiving end, are now waiting for an end to electioneering and hoping for a return to normalcy of the fares.
