SHILLONG: A major policy shift is underway for Shillong’s public transport system, with the state government preparing to formally legalize individual bike taxi operations.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport, Sniawbhalang Dhar, announced that the department has accepted the long-standing demand of local riders for ‘Individual Permits’ or ‘Individual Licenses.’
The decision follows a crucial meeting on Friday between the Minister and a delegation from the local two-wheeler operators’ group, “Ride to Serve Shillong,” who sought a formal pathway to operate legally outside of corporate aggregator frameworks.
From an administrative standpoint, the Transport Department is moving swiftly to establish a regulated framework, a process expected to take between 5 to 10 days.
However, the government is making it clear that legalization will come with strict state oversight, particularly regarding consumer protection and commercial compliance. Minister Dhar emphasized that the government retains the sole authority to fix commercial fare rates, stating firmly that individual operators will not be permitted to set fares arbitrarily, as this would exploit the general public.
Before any permits are distributed, the department plans to call another joint meeting to finalize the legal terms, conditions, and the specific tax structure that operators must pay into the state treasury.
For the local youths and riders represented by “Ride to Serve Shillong,” the government’s commitment marks a significant victory for self-employment and grassroots livelihood options.
Convener of the association, Kyntiewdor Nongkynrih, expressed optimism following the assurances from the Deputy Chief Minister, noting that a follow-up meeting is scheduled in the coming days to deliberate on the finer details.
The association is highly expectant that their demand to legally earn a living as independent bike taxi operators will finally become a reality within the coming week.
While the government is opening doors for both independent individuals and established commercial companies to join the bike taxi sector, it is pairing this economic opportunity with strict law enforcement.
The Transport Department has warned that it will maintain rigorous surveillance on the roads, making it mandatory for all two-wheelers to have their legal paperwork fully compliant from top to bottom before they can hit the streets for commercial service.
