Unions parking more taxis than permitted at station: Railways

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 1

The Railway administration has accused the Railway Station Taxi Union for parking more number of taxis than permitted.

Talking to Amritsar Tribune, Railway officials said taxi operators were allowed to facilitate 40 taxis in two shifts of 12 hours, accommodating 20 taxis in each shift for the convenience of passengers, however the taxi unions started parking more number of taxis than permitted. They said the unions had started parking taxis at locations other than earmarked areas because of which an unauthorised shed was removed on February 24.

They also erected an unauthorised shed in front of station affecting facade and cleanliness. Unions started misusing the facility of short time parking in transit like an open garage parking.

This often led to chaos and obstruction in entry to station and also smooth traffic flow. It resulted into great inconvenience to passengers.

They claimed that an adequate space of 2,400 square feet has been provided under the plan for remodelling of the local railway station for parking of taxis at concessional rate, there is no loss of livelihood of any taxi driver.

Kuldeep Singh, a leader of the taxi union flayed the authorities for taking autocratic decision without accommodating their needs. Two parking stands, including United and General Taxi stands have been operating here. Each of them accommodates 40 taxis during day time. He said 40 taxis were being run on permit, paying Rs 1,180 fee per month and the remaining taxis were private and each of them was paying Rs 100 per day parking fee.

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