By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Local Cabbies in the city have come out with their own rates of rupees for any journey made within the city.
It is now evident that the local taxis charge Rs 10 for any journey citing a reason of shortage of change.
Earlier, the cabbies were charging Rs 5 from Police Bazar to IGP Point but now they have revised their own rate which is Rs 10.
This system is practiced in other localities as cabbies now charge Rs 10 from Anjalee petrol pump till Jhalupara.
It is said that since the Government introduced its public transport, the high handedness of the local taxi drivers has doubled.
Some passengers said that the local taxi drivers are always ready for a quarrel with the passengers when it comes to over charging. “Once a driver over charged me and I warned him that I will complain to higher authorities but he was arrogant and told me to do whatever I like,” an elderly citizen said.
When contacted, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal said that the matter has to be looked into and it has to be reviewed in the Regional Transport Authority.
“Though petrol prices have been hiked but taxis cannot go on their own rate,” he said.
Leaving apart the over charging aspect, the drivers are often found to be rude with passengers.
Though the State Government has launched the buses and the maxi taxis, yet the Government run vehicles are yet to cover the entire Shillong city and still a major chunk of people are solely dependent on local taxis.
