Banjeet Boro

Ulubari

The way the things are shaping up in Guwahati, I think we will see fare-meter taxis on the roads of the city even before we end up reading this column. Till a few years ago, Guwahati was a laid-back city with little to compare itself with other big metros. But the rate of development in the city at present is one of the fastest in the country.

The city has always welcomed new concepts under the sun. The city is the gateway to the Northeast and always keeps her arms open to welcome one and all.

The consumer durables market in the city is growing at a rate, which is faster than that of Mumbai, not to mention about any eastern Indian city. Multinational products, including cars and electronic gadgets, are selling faster now and swanky shopping malls are coming up on the city?s skylines.

However, let us not forget about crimes, ignorance, rudeness, pollution and all pervasive traits increasing among the denizens, which is always a part of any big metro.

But is Guwahati really that big like other metros of India in length and breadth to have taxis with fare meters? Let?s ask ourselves, do we really need fare-meter taxis for transportation within the city? I am not sending any signal against having fare-meter taxis. In fact, although the news of having fare-meter taxis is nothing big, but it is still a good piece of news for everybody.

Why are we not talking about the autorickshaws that have already got the provision to use fare meters? Most of the fare meters of the autorickshaws of the city are non-functional.

Thus let the authorities make strict rules for the autorickshaw-owners to have fare meters and let them use it for the convenience of the daily commuters in the city.

Norul Alam

Panbazar

Yes, this step is necessary. If taxi operators start using fare meters, foreign tourists, inhabitants of other parts of the country and other newcomers to Guwahati will greatly benefit.

They often become easy prey to taxi drivers, who are more often than not cunning and crafty. They have made it a habit of duping strangers. If a permanent rule is framed regarding fares and the use of fare meters is made compulsory, taxi-drivers will hardly get any chance to cheat passengers.

With the implementation of fare meters, taxis ? like other vehicles ? will save passengers a great deal of tension and bother.

The moment a taxi driver comes to know that his passenger is an outsider, he tries his best to deceive the passenger. That is why taxis with fare meters are so essential.

To ensure a hassle-free journey from one part of the city to the other, introduction of taxis with fare meters is a must for the city. This system will definitely minimise cases of cheating by taxi drivers, as passengers would have to pay the fares only on the basis of the units of the fare meters.

If fare-metered taxis become operational, not only tourists but local residents will have greater confidence while travelling as they will have hassle-free journeys.

Shreya Pathak

Dispur

The introduction of fare-metered taxis in the city would be great news indeed for the city. Taxis, in particular, can carry five persons at a time and also help passengers cover long distances with a degree of comfort. To ensure that passengers can enjoy the best of travelling facilities, fare meters should be attached to taxis.

However, most taxis in the city cover the distance from the airport to Paltan Bazar. Hence, other areas are denied this facility.

If the administration is seriously thinking of introducing fare meter taxis, then they should also make it mandatory to ensure taxi services in the important city areas.

If taxis become the favourite mode of travelling for city residents, taxis drivers will charge exorbitant fares. To preclude such a possibility, the rule should be put in place that each and every taxi should have a fare meter.

Pradip Deka

Maligaon

It is really sad that a big city like Guwahati is yet to have fare-meter taxis. Most of the commuters have to suffer a great deal while travelling, as the taxi drivers ask fares according to their whims and fancy.

Except for the buses of the city, there is no kind of rules and regulations regarding fares in autorickshaws as well as taxis of the city.

Thus one can imagine the kind of loot and plunder that is going on by the autorickshaw and taxi drivers of the city. And unless and until some rules and regulations are not made to have some sort of control over fares, like using of fare-meters, the travellers in the city are bound to suffer at the hand of the taxi drivers.