The Central Joint Action Committee (CJAC), representing 68 taxi associations in Gangtok, has called on the Sikkim Government to immediately suspend the “City Runner” minibus service operated by Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT), citing severe impact on the livelihoods of thousands of local taxi drivers.
The City Runner service, launched recently, involves 17-seater minibuses operating on city routes and between Ranipool and Gangtok. While authorities have projected the service as an affordable and convenient transport option, local taxi operators argue that it has created unfair competition, reducing passenger demand for taxis.
Speaking on behalf of the CJAC, President Karma Tshering Tamang said, “Today, over 20,000 to 25,000 drivers are attached to our associations, with many more independent drivers depending on taxi fares. A City Runner charges only Rs 80 from Ranipool to Gangtok, compared to Rs 300 for a taxi. Naturally, passengers choose the cheaper option. This is destroying our only source of income.”
Tamang added that while the government earns revenue from the minibuses, thousands of families face financial stress. He recalled that Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has previously supported taxi drivers and provided free vehicles to unemployed youth to help them earn a livelihood. “Now, with these minibuses, we wait hours at stands and barely get a single passenger. The slowdown in tourism is making the situation even worse,” he said.
The CJAC has raised the issue with the Transport Secretary, as well as MLAs and advisors, but claims their concerns have not received adequate attention. “We are not against public transport, but no system should destroy our bread and butter. If City Runners must run, they should operate in areas where taxis are not available, and avoid direct competition on local Gangtok routes,” Tamang emphasized.
Taxi drivers also pointed to rising fuel costs, long traffic jams, and a decrease in tourist footfall this September ahead of Durga Puja as additional challenges. They suggested that the government focus on repairing damaged roads in North Sikkim and opening new tourist destinations, which could boost traffic for both taxis and buses.
While CJAC acknowledges the public benefits of City Runners, including cheaper fares and reduced traffic congestion, the committee insists that government planning must balance public convenience with the livelihoods of taxi drivers. “Public transport should not come at the cost of thousands of drivers losing their jobs,” Tamang said.
The Sikkim Government had recently introduced around ten City Runner minibuses in Gangtok as part of an initiative to provide reliable and affordable transport. Officials argued that the service would help ease congestion and offer passengers a low-cost option. However, the CJAC fears that if the service is left unregulated, it could collapse the local taxi sector, affecting thousands of families in the capital.