Taxis fares hiked

PASSENGERS TO PAY 15% MORE FOR TRAVELLING IN DIESEL CABS AND 24% IN PETROL VEHICLES

GANGTOK, 06 July: The State Transport Authority of the Motor Vehicles Division of the Transport Department, through a Notification issued on 19 June, 2012 [published in today’s edition of this paper] has issued new rate boards for taxis plying in Sikkim. The new rates came into effect on 01 July, 2012. Officials inform that taxi fares have been increased by around 15% for diesel vehicles and 24% for petrol vehicles.
Speaking to NOW! today, the Secretary, Transport Department, Tsegyal Tashi, informed that the last time that taxi fares were increased in Sikkim was in the year 2010.
The Taxi Drivers Association had approached the concerned Minister and Transport Department officials seeking a fare hike some time back as they felt that while fuel prices had been increased several times since 2010, the taxi fares had remained unchanged. The substantial hike in fuel prices and maintenance costs in the interim necessitated a matching hike in passenger fares, they had petitioned.
While fixing the fares, a variety of factors are taken into account, the Secretary explained, adding that they had a formula for this based on which the new fares have been finalised. Factors like the cost of the vehicle, insurance, maintenance costs, spare parts, wear and tear [especially of tyres], cost of fuel, wages of the drivers, all these are taken into account before fixing the rates, he said.
“We also have to strike a balance between fare rates, the taxi drivers and owners and the interest of the general public while fixing the rates because in the end it is the general public that uses the taxis,” he said.
Following the demand of the taxi drivers associations seeking a fare hike, the Motor Vehicles Division had called the All Sikkim Taxi Drivers Association [ASTDA] to discuss the issue on 02 June.
At the meeting, a percentage was fixed by the MVD as per calculations done by it, and based on the principle that commuters were not over burdened even as the interests of taxi drivers and owners were addressed.
The president, Central Joint Action Committee of Local Taxi Drivers Association, Gangtok, informs that the hike proposed by the MVD was accepted unanimously by the association.

Revision of taxi fares being processed

GANGTOK, 08 June: Following the recent escalation in petrol prices, the taxi drivers association in the state had placed a demand with the Motor Vehicle Division [MVD] seeking revision in taxi fares. The MVD subsequently called the All Sikkim Taxi Drivers Association [ASTDA] to discuss the hike in taxi fares on 02 June. Both came to an agreement on the percentage hike which would neither set back the commuters by too much while also address the needs of taxi owners and drivers. The new rates are now being processed.
It is learnt that the taxi fare chart under revision will see a hike of 15% in jeep fares and upto 24% hike for all taxis using petrol. Sources inform that the revision of the fare chart of taxis is being prepared and soon the revised chart will be sent to the government for approval after which it will be notified.
Chung Chung Bhutia [President, Central Joint Action Committee of Local Taxi Drivers Association, Gangtok] informs that during the meeting, the MVD used a calculation which would not burden the commuters or the drivers and that this was accepted.
He added that the association had also requested the MVD, including the Transport Department, to appoint one officer of Food and Civil Supplies prior to the hike in fuel prices at every petrol pump to keep record of the old stock as well so that no loss is incurred by the drivers till the stock is cleared.
He also iterated that the revision made by the MVD would not be opposed at all as it has been carried out by holding discussion with the association and the drivers at large.

Cabbies demand revision of fare rates in wake of petrol price hike

GANGTOK, 25 May: The increase in petrol prices has given rise to confusion regarding fares among taxi drivers in the capital who have long been demanding a revision of taxi fares with the Motor Vehicles wing of the Transport Department.
“Between the years 2006 to 2010 there was an increase in fuel prices ranging from Re. 01 to Rs. 05 and during that time we had approached the Motor Vehicles Division for revision of taxi fares and after much deliberation the department raised the taxi fares by 15% in2010. Even at that time we had asked for the hike to be between 30 to 50 per cent,” explained Chung Chung Bhutia [President, Central Joint Action Committee of Local Taxi Drivers Association, Gangtok], while speaking to the press here at Deorali today.
When the fuel prices increased by Rs. 5 last year, they had approached the department seeking another increase in taxi fares and even then the department had stated that another revised rate board would be worked out soon. The hike is still awaited and now petrol prices have been increased by another 10%, he added.
“Now the petrol prices have been increased by Rs. 7.30 per litre and we are still charging passengers at the old rate given to us by the department in 2010,” he said and added that now, with the increase in fuel prices, the drivers are at a loss regarding passenger fares.
“Now taxi drivers may start to charge passengers more and this will not go down well with the people and the drivers could face public ire,” expressed Mr. Bhutia adding that it would be the students and children who will suffer in the midst of this confusion.
“Even the traffic has been made one-way in many places, but we are still forced to charge the same rate as we do not have the much needed revised rate board and have to face the anger of the people when we do so,” he further stated.
Speaking on whether the taxi drivers association will be lending its support to the all India strike called on 31 May, he said that if the ‘common man’ stands up then they will definitely come out in support of the people adding that last year when they had held a meeting to discuss various issues regarding the plight of drivers, the meeting had been termed to be politically motivated, so they want to be cautious this time.
“It is high time that the department did something to revise the rate board. We have already written two or three times to the department regarding this issue since 2010,” added Lakpa Sherpa [general secretary of the association], while speaking to the press.
He suggested that it would be better if the department lift the VAT levied on petrol so that the price comes down by a few rupees or follow in Goa’s footsteps and not increase petrol prices at all. In order to avoid overcharging by taxi drivers, the department should take immediate action in view of the recent price hike, Mr Sherpa added.