SEPPA, Jan 23: The All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) has appealed to the East Kameng deputy commissioner to recall the notice wherein the fare of Sumos (shared taxis) plying from Itanagar to Seppa and vice versa was decreased from Rs 700 to 500.
In a representation to the administration, the AAPPTF, led by its president Dobing Sonam said that the decision taken by the administration is not in favour of the Sumo owners and drivers as they have to pay commissions at ticket counters and also to their staffs from the fare that they receive.
‘The administration should have at least taken the decision after due consultation with the transport union of the area,’ the union said.
While it acknowledged that the construction of a proper highway has decreased the distance between Seppa and Itanagar, the AAPPTF, however, opined that distance is not the only criteria taken into account while fixing fares.
‘Even the state’s department of transport has fixed the fares of government Sumos in different areas at Rs 2.40 per km, and considering that the distance between Itanagar to Seppa is 236 kms, the total amount comes to Rs 566,’ it said and sought to know how it would help the drivers.
The association further appealed to the deputy commissioner to fix a meeting with the All East Kameng Tata Sumo Union in this regard soon and put a hold on the notification issued by him till the time the issue is discussed and resolved.
