Jaigaon taxi drivers outmanouvre Bhutanese cabbies

4 July 2008

In an act of sheer unscrupulousness, Jaigaon taxi drivers are outsmarting their Bhutanese counterparts by illegally snatching their passengers and depriving them of their rights. SANGAY WANGCHUK reports

The result has been that Phuentsholing taxi drivers are finding it difficult driving their business forward. “I had passengers till Pasakha. While I was opening the door for them, a Jaigaon cabbie rushed in and took away the passengers, carrying their luggage and obliging them to get in his taxi,” said Yonten, a taxi driver.

He said the Indian taxi drivers never allow them to pick up people in Jaigaon. “I was warned that they would thrash me if I ever picked up passengers from Jaigaon,” he said. A few days ago, he was physically threatened in a Jaigaon street. Today he is scared to travel there. “For every single Bhutanese taxi, there are seven Indian taxis running in Phuentsholing town. Bhutanese taxis are reducing in numbers. Moreover, many private Indian vans also function as taxis as they cannot be identified,” said Penjor, a veteran cabbie. He made a paltry Nu 200 yesterday. “Most of the Bhutanese prefer Indian taxis and private vans over Bhutanese taxis.

Their rates are flexible and they drive at a faster speed,” said Lobzang, another cabbie desperate for business. He said most of his friends are leaving Phuentsholing as a consequence- they feel the capital offers them better chances.

The hike in fuel prices has added bitterness to their woes. “There has been a substantial hike in the fuel price but we are not allowed to increase the taxi fare. We are undergoing massive losses,” said Lobzang. He is afraid that the situation might compel him to give up the business.
Buses add yet another nail in the cabbie’s seat. With cheaper fares, they are formidable competition. Phuentsholing taxi drivers are facing a crunch sustaining their business. The majority have decided to flee to Thimphu or Paro.

Their hopes are pinned mostly on the RSTA. “We would be really grateful if the RSTA could look into the matter seriously and help us sustain our business,” said a driver. Phuentsholing cabbies hope the RSTA will curb Jaigaon taxi drivers from dominating the scene in what they say is rightfully their roost

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