SHILLONG, MAY 7: The Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) has asked the state government to take action against taxis and maxi cabs that refuses to ferry passengers to the extent of seizing their permits.

“We urge the government to ensure smooth operation by the public transports so as to serve the people well and those not adhering to norms their permits should be seized,” CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said in a statement issued here on Monday.

She also urged the general public to take down the numbers of the taxis refusing to commute them or are over charging so that action can be taken against them.

This was after the organization had received many complaints against the taxis and maxi cabs for refusing to ferry passengers to certain areas within Shillong and are more interested to get full booking passengers, especially from Iewduh, Mothphran and in Khyndailad, (Police Bazaar).

“This causes inconvenience to the general public, especially women and children waiting for taxis and having to ask each driver who has no courtesy even to reply. They just pass through as though they are lords of the road,” Kharshiing said.

She said in spite of this many are double parking in the middle of the road to wait for booking passengers, while people are waiting for taxis adding there are also drivers who were charging Rs 250 to some who wanted to book the car from Mothpran, Iewduh to Polo which is clear extortion.

“Permits are given for public transport by the State Government to help commute the public from area to area and if those issued permits do not serve the public well and are fussy in travelling to destination within the service areas, or are overcharging, then the Transport Department should take away their permits and give them to those who gladly will service the people,” she said.

It was also informed that there are certain maxi cabs who would only take passengers in the evening to Mawpat but not take passengers on the way like those wanting to get down at Lumshyiap or adjacent areas as the fare to Mawpat is Rs 20 while at Shyiap is Rs 10.

The Maxi cabs are financed by the government under JNNURM and many women were complaining about a particular maxi cab that refuses to take them to Lum Shyiap area from Mothphran, she said.