Bike taxis under the banner of “Ride to Serve” have urged the state government to streamline monitoring and regulation of their services, and develop a dedicated mobile application.
The bike taxis have put up the demand with the transport minister and according to them there has been no response so far.
Riders today converged together to hold a meeting at Malki playground to discuss issues affecting their service.
While an app would serve as a more efficient and transparent mechanism for overseeing the operations of bike taxi services, the riders stressed that they desire to operate independently rather than being associated with private companies.
They argue that their earnings are significantly higher when operating individually and sought provisions from the government to enable them to run bike taxi services.
“Bike taxi riders have gained the trust of many customers who rely on them for safe and convenient transportation, particularly during times of heavy traffic congestion. Parents, in particular, appreciate the bike taxi service as a reliable means of transporting their children to and from school. Recognizing the importance of these services to the community, it is essential to support and regulate bike taxi operations effectively,” President of the organisation K Nongkynrih said.
He said the process of obtaining permits and fulfilling tax obligations poses a significant burden on all bike taxi riders. “We believe that addressing these issues and providing support to bike taxi riders will not only uplift their socio-economic conditions but also contribute to the overall development of our state,” he added.