EKH cabbies push for taxi fare hike

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 22: The East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA) is planning to meet the Commissioner of Transport and the chairman of the Regional Transport Authority next week to press for a hike in local taxi fares in view of the frequent increase in petrol prices amid the ongoing global crisis triggered by the US-Iran conflict.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, EKHLTWA president Wandonbok Jyrwa said the association had already deliberated on the need to revise taxi fares, stating that the present fuel price hike was comparable to the situation witnessed in 2021.

“Now it is a global crisis. With the hike in the price of petroleum, it will ultimately lead to a rise in the prices of essential commodities. Therefore, we request the government to increase the taxi fares,” Jyrwa said.

He stated that there was already an understanding with the government that local taxi fares would be revised whenever fuel prices increased.

“If the fuel prices come down, we will again reduce the taxi fares,” he said.

Jyrwa further said that the association had only held preliminary discussions on the matter so far and appealed to the state government to consider the welfare and interests of local taxi owners and drivers.