Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The Khasi Students’ Union has come up with an alternative suggestion for the regional transport authority, East Khasi Hills, which, about a couple of days back, was keen on issuance of permits for app-based bike-taxi operators.
Citing the example of Mizoram, the union, on July 12, said that the Northeastern state, in 2007, had issued permits to two-wheelers to ferry passengers and had come up with its own app called Huiva to facilitate the initiative. The Huiva app is administered by the government of Mizoram and operates only in the state, the statement read.
“We feel that Meghalaya should follow Mizoram ‘s footsteps which will, in a way, help the youth in the state,” general secretary of the union, Donald Thabah said, in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
The union also said that it has received several complaints from an app-based bike-taxi service operators and if banned, thousands of youths will lose their livelihood. The union also urged the concerning authority to find ways to allow them continue doing it.
The students’ body also said that it believes that the concerning authorities’ decision to ask taxi aggregators and bike taxis to register and apply for a licence to operate could be in accordance with the state laws.