Two-wheeler taxi service was launched in Mon town on June 26. The two-wheeler taxi service which began today was launched by Imkumwapang, District Transport Officer, Mon.
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Morung Express news
Kohima | June 27
In a first of its kind, the two-wheeler taxi service has reached Mon town. Prior to this, Mon town did not have any local public transport, making it a first public service to cater to the town.
The two-wheeler taxi service which began today was launched by Imkumwapang, District Transport Officer (DTO) at District Transport Office, Mon on June 26.
The DTO informed The Morung Express that till now, three two-wheeler taxis have registered while four others have been given Assurance Certificates. “As the issuing authority of the permits for two-wheeler taxi, upto 50 permits will be issued in Mon district,” he said.
Unlike places like Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung, where two-wheeler taxis have become common and it is quite competitive to get permits among the educated unemployed youths, the DTO observed the case is not the same in Mon town at the moment.
The President of Two-wheeler Taxi Union, Mon, Y Chingkap Konyak said that the union has begun the service today with three registered two-wheelers. Though there is no traffic congestion in Mon town, he said, “The situation here in Mon is that there is no proper means of public transport for the general public.”
Chingkap cited that few years ago, some auto rickshaws were plying on the road but the District Administration and the Transport department observed it was not according to “standard norms” as auto rickshaws is not meant for hilly areas. “Since there is no other means of public transport, they were plying on demand, although auto rickshaws are not recognised by the government to be used in hilly areas,” he said.
Speaking of how the initiative started in Mon town, the DTO said though the two-wheeler taxi for unemployed youths started 2-3 years back, there were no takers for Mon district. In March 2023, the authority spoke to some unemployed youths and they came forward.
“Now that it has started and we have launched, we are gathering response slowly. Some youths are in the process of applying loans from banks for availing two wheelers and taxi permits thereafter,” he added.
With regard to the parking allotment, the DTO informed as of now the concerned authority i.e. Traffic Police has allotted three parking spots to the two wheeler taxis.
“In the coming days, as the service grows, parking spaces will be enhanced as per the requirement of the town,” he added.
On the fare rates Imkumwapang said that it has not been fixed yet but for the time being, the rate of the service is Rs 15 per kilometre. “When the Regional Transport Authority has a sitting, we will discuss about the rate of fares and fix accordingly,” he said.
Mention maybe made that the RTA will be launching four-wheeler taxis in Mon town. Five have already registered and six have been given assurance certificates, the DTA informed.
