Shillong cabbies affected by COVID-19 pandemic

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: Questions have arisen that is the COVID-19 situation changing people's lifestyle, only time will tell.

One person who frequently travels in a taxi before lockdown said that at the moment he would rather walk as much as possible.

"Since the lockdown, it has become normal for me to walk," he said. He said that avoiding public transport for now is the best option since there is a risk of contracting the virus. Probably for her flagging down a taxi next time won't be a normal thing to do.

Meanwhile, D Majaw a taxi driver said that in the changed scenario people may never again use shared taxis.

"Maybe from now on people who want a cab will book the whole taxi as is done in other parts of the country," he said.

Meanwhile, the lifting of restrictions on plying of taxis in the city should have been better planned many citizens felt.

"At the moment both the taxi drivers/owners and the passengers are at the receiving end," one taxi driver said.

He said that since the government has not hike taxi fares but restricted the number of passengers.

The cabbie who wanted to remain anonymous stated that with the restriction in the number of passengers they can ferry and no clear directive from the authorities on the fares they arbitrarily hiked it.

"We are confused with the number of passengers we can ferry," he said.

According to him on Wednesday morning, police did not allow passengers to sit in the front seat.

The cabbie however said that as per directives from the district administration taxis can ferry three passengers, one in front and two at the back.

Moreover, passengers complained that taxi drivers, are over charging taking advantage of no clear directives from authorities.

"I was charged Rs 30 from Dhankheti to Barik," E Dkhar said.

Another passenger Ban Kharkongor said that he was charged Rs 20 from Barik to Laitumkhrah.

"I was told by a cabbie that we was willing to take me to Motphran from Dhankheti if I pay him Rs 40," another passenger complaint.

Also Watch: #NewsMakers Live: K Elu Ndang, Gen Secy, Naga Hoho, Nagaland in an exclusive chat with Oineetom Ojah