By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 3: Despite the modern-day technological advances that allow people to summon public transport like taxis to their doorstep using mobile phones, residents of Shillong remain reliant on local taxis and a limited number of buses operating in the state capital.
Some residents have expressed frustration with Shillong’s public transport system, noting that it lags behind other cities.
Local taxis dominate the system, with many cabbies openly flouting rules. On any given day, numerous people can be seen scrambling in Police Bazar to catch a local taxi to destinations such as Laitumkhrah, Jhalupara or Last Stop.
Years have passed since the East Khasi Hills district administration made any new arrangements for proper parking spaces for passengers to embark and disembark. In the evenings, a dearth of local taxis in Police Bazar exacerbates the problem as people rush to get home. Many local taxis carry up to six passengers, excluding the driver, leading to complaints of overcrowding.
Passengers also complain about the cleanliness of local taxis, describing conditions where they feel “stacked like sheep and goats”.
Some even report that taxis often smell of ganja.
Women, in particular, express discomfort with the seating arrangements but find no alternative modes of transport.
The state government has yet to explore options beyond local taxis and government-sponsored buses, and plans to introduce electric buses continue to remain stalled in government files.
