A delegation of different associations representing transporters who run light vehicles from Bengal to Sikkim has flagged a slew of issues, seeking the intervention of the State Transport Authority (STA) of Bengal.

The issues, they said, are affecting their business and need to be resolved immediately.

According to the transporters, the Sikkim government has recently launched a cab app and it mentions rates of cabs from various locations of Bengal, particularly transit points like Bagdogra airport and New Jalpaiguri railway station.

“We have no problem if they run the cab within their state. But as the app can be availed even from these locations and some other places like Siliguri, it would affect our business. The STA should take it up with the Sikkim transport department,” said Siraj Bhowmik, the president of the Bagdogra Taxi Owners Association.

Every day, around 3,000 light vehicles ferry tourists and others to the neighbouring mountain state.

On Wednesday, the delegation submitted a memorandum to the joint secretary of STA, mentioning that vehicles from Sikkim can take tourists sightseeing to different areas like the Bengal Safari Park.

“Our cabs, however, are not allowed to take tourists for sightseeing in Sikkim, particularly in areas like Namchi, Ravangla and some other places. This has to be changed,” said a transporter.

A representative of the All Bengal Trinamool Cab Drivers & Operators Union mentioned that in Sikkim, there is no proper parking space or stand for vehicles of Bengal.

“We don’t find any place to park our vehicles in Gangtok, Pelling and Namchi, which are popular tourist destinations. Officials of STA should speak with their counterparts in Sikkim so that designated parking spaces are provided to the vehicles,” he said.

“Also, the STA should ensure that digital documents of cabs and drivers issued in Bengal are accepted in Sikkim. Fines are frequently imposed by the police and other authorities on the cabs of Bengal on various pretexts. This practice has to end,” he added.

Some other demands that the transporters have raised include check on Sikkim vehicles with special permits as a section of such vehicles are used for the movement of tourists, a halt in the use of private number vehicles of both Sikkim and Bengal for commercial purposes and simplification of the process of permits provided by Sikkim to the vehicles of Bengal.

“The STA and our state transport department should act promptly as cab owners have to bear losses,” said Jayanta Majumdar, convener of the transport coordination committee of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network.

QR code for taxis

The transport department of Sikkim issued an order on Wednesday, mentioning that it was mandatory for all local taxis to display a QR code so that passengers could make payments in cashless mode.

Each local taxi in the state has to display the code by July 15.