Shillong, July 18: With the government putting the popular Rapido bike services in Shillong city out of commission, Transport Minister Dasakhiat Lamare on Monday said the department is trying to work out guidelines that will enable the bike service to once again resume. He, however, mentioned that the guidelines will be looking to balance the field between the bike service and the local taxi services, as the later has suffered because of the popularity of the bike services.

With many out of work due to banning of the bike service as well as commuters complaining of the long traffic snarls and expensive taxi charges, the minister said he is aware of the cost effectiveness and flexibility of the bike service, given the traffic situation in the city.

“The feedback that I’ve got is that they cost less and they are very flexible in regards of the traffic congestion of the state and the city,” he said.

He also acknowledged the employment opportunity created by the bike services stating that “it’s accurate to say that it is hampering the employment issues because these rapidos itself is providing employment…” but there is also the growing resentment from the local four-wheel taxi service, which have taken a massive hit because of the bike service.

Informing that there are complaints from the taxi drivers, he said, “Taxi drivers are not telling us to stop it. They are just requesting the department and whoever is authorised to please do something so that it doesn’t affect them so much.”

He said the government is trying it’s best to bring about satisfaction and mutual benefits to both the taxi drivers and rapido bikers.

He also clarified that the government has not succumbed to anybody but it will come up with a decision that will meet the needs of the taxi drivers as well as rapido bikers as both play an important in their respective fields.