SHILLONG, July 11: Their livelihood threatened by the ban on online and offline Rapido services, the Rapido captains are now asking for permit in line with what is issued to local cabbies.
They met East Khasi Hills District Transport Officer (DTO) H Lamin on Monday and shared their grievances.
“We urged the DTO to see if the government can issue permit to us for the operation of the two-wheeler service. The DTO said he will need to take up the matter with the higher authorities,” a Rapido captain told reporters.
Citing financial constraints, the Rapido captains said it is not possible for them to create an application for online and offline booking. They urged the government to take a decision at the earliest considering that many of them make a living from this service and took bank loan to buy their two-wheelers.
The Transport department has banned the plying of two-wheelers (bikes and scooters) operating as taxi services, both online and offline in Shillong.
A notification issued by the office of the Regional Transport Authority Board said, “As per sub-section (1) of section 66 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, two-wheelers operating as taxi service availing online or offline method e.g., Rapido, Uber etc, with the use of motorcycle are prohibited to ply for the purpose of ferrying passengers.” The notification warned, “Strict action shall be taken against the violators of the said Act”.
The office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner later posted a “clarification” on its Facebook page on the order stating that all taxi aggregators and bike-taxis have to register and apply for a licence prior to commencement of operations as per the Meghalaya Taxi Aggregator Operational Rules vide Notification of the Transport Department dated February 14, 2020.
However, the decision evoked a sharp reaction. Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) expressed its resentment.
TUR said at a time when the rate of unemployment is rising, such app-based taxi service came as a relief for many unemployed youth. It said the government’s decision would deprive the youth of their livelihood. It demanded the immediate withdrawal of the order.
