Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 28 (EMN): The Regional Transport Authority of Kohima district had stipulated a somewhat sharp rate of fares for hired taxis for routes to tourist destinations, even as two-wheeler taxis stayed off the road in resentment of unresolved issues, including unreasonably low fares for the bikes compared to that of the cabs.
The transport authority issued the list, ‘taxi hire/fares to important tourist destinations in Kohima,’ stating the new fares on Thursday.
The updates show that all hire charges are for both ways, but the charge for halting is at INR.120 per hour.
The fare for movement within the town is fixed at INR 25 per passenger.
Also, the authority issued a list for ‘two wheeler taxi fares.’ The fares for the two-wheeler taxis are much lower compared to those for the taxis. It stated that, ‘Two wheeler taxi fare is fixed at INR 20 from the origin to the first point and additional INR 10 for each subsequent point.’
‘Any driver/rider charging more than the prescribed fare must be reported in detail with vehicle number, date and time to the RTA for necessary action as per MV rules and Act,’ the circular stated.
Every taxi driver/rider should display the fare chart at all times. The authority has warned the public transport against failing to comply with the directive.
Bike taxis resent unresolved issues
The Nagaland Two Wheeler Taxi Association (NTWTA) in Kohima stayed off the roads on Thursday. When contacted by
Eastern Mirror, a driver informed that many of the riders were not selected and were showing their resentment. The government had stipulated only 100 permits.
Even those who were selected were busy filing their forms and details at the Regional Transport office as November 28 was fixed as the last date for application while the list was announced only on November 26.
Sources from the NTWTA informed that the refusal of the two-wheelers to do business on Thursday was based on a number of demands. First, they want ‘allowing the rejected riders to ply for four months till March 31, 2020, to recover pending loan and to satisfy the demand until government increases the benchmark.’
Another is the problem with the latest Regional Transport Authority’s fares for two-wheeler taxis. An official from the association informed this Correspondent that the fare is unreasonably low. The source maintained that although ‘the fuel consumption may be low, we have to understand that unlike other transportation means, we carry only a passenger at a time.’
The official also maintained that the physical exhaustion and energy required to ride a full day is immeasurable with factors for maintenance and fuel charges added to it.
“We are all excited about the service as job opportunity. If we don’t earn enough to sustain then it’s not justifiable.”
On Thursday, many regular passengers including students and office goers were seen stranded and disappointed. This may also affect normal life of many for those who had adopted the two wheel taxi mode of transport because of its low, public-friendly fares and traffic convenience.
