Sikkim to launch prepaid taxis

Nirmal Mangar TT, Gangtok, July 7: Sikkim government will launch a prepaid taxi service from tomorrow for tourists who want to travel from Gangtok to Chhangu Lake, Baba Mandir and the Nathu-la with an aim to create a standard price for the rides.

To take a prepaid taxi, the commuter will have to make a payment at the prepaid counter, following which, they will be handed a ticket. At present, 40 vehicles have been registered under the prepaid taxi system.

State transport minister, D.T. Lepcha, will launch the service tomorrow at the Chhangu Taxi stand in Balwakhani area, 2km from here.

"The main intention of the prepaid taxi service is to give a uniformly-priced taxi service to the tourists. Tourists can now book their vehicle from the taxi stand counter," said the transport secretary, S.B.S. Bhaduria.

Many complaints have been lodged by tourists after they were charged exorbitant rates by the taxi drivers.

"The drivers would enjoyed a monopoly and charge at least Rs 6,000 from tourists for a taxi ride to Chhangu Lake and Baba Mandir," said a source.

"From Wednesday, the vehicle rate up to Chhangu Lake and Baba Mandir will be Rs 3,000, while tourists will have to pay Rs 3,600 for a ride to the Nathu-la border. One Sumo taxi would accommodate 10 persons," said Phurba Sherpa, the president of the Nathu-la Co-operative society.

The co-operative will operate a syndicate at the taxi stand. "The co-operative will charge Rs 20 per vehicle which will be deducted from the amount paid by the tourist. This is the government-approved rate. We are hopeful that more taxis will join the initiative," said Sherpa.