Matheran cab stir threatens holidays

A possible transport strike is threatening the city’s popular hill station Matheran on Christmas Eve. Local taximen are opposing the introduction of additional services by the Maharashtra transport mini bus plying on the same route. A crucial meeting is set to be held on Tuesday.

About 500 taximen, owners and drivers, who run a fleet of 250-odd cabs between Neral and Dasturi point, have threatened to go on a strike if the trips of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) mini bus are not curtailed as the rise in bus services would directly affect their livelihood.

Dasturi, the point till where vehicles are allowed, is 11 km away from Matheran village. The bus currently undertakes five trips till Dasturi, and is proposing to run eight trips for the tourist season.

“The trips were increased after local passengers demanded it and staged a protest,” a local government official said.

“Our business will be badly hit if the ST buses increase their trips. We met officials at the Alibag collectorate on Monday and took up the issue with them. We are holding a crucial meeting with the local officials on Tuesday and after that we will take a final call on the strike,” Rajjubhai Wagheshwar of Neral-Matheran taxi chalak-malak Sangathan told DNA.

A top MSRTC official said that the primary issue for them is public convenience. “Our buses are safe and very popular with the tourists. The local parishad had requested us to increase
service,” he added.