“Choridew Choridew, Afnui Nepali Daju Bhai Lai Kina Complain Gareko” – A Fellow Passenger Supporting a Rip off Driver

Dear DC Team,

Can you please urgently highlight the rampant “manapari” increase in taxi-fares by most of our local drivers plying passengers from Darjeeling to Siliguri from Darjeeling Stand.

It has become a standard practice for drivers, who usually do the Darjeeling-Siliguri trip in the afternoon to charge extra money ranging anywhere from Rs. 50 to over Rs. 150, in addition to the usual fare of Rs. 150.

Today, it was not even 3 pm when this driver asked for extra Rs. 50. I have to go to Siliguri frequently, so I have been paying them the extras all this while. But now it’s getting on my nerves.

The people at the ticket counters tell us that there are no vehicles post 1 or 2 pm, so we are forced to resort to “jhapka” vehicles. The fare to Siliguri after 4 pm become double at Rs. 300/head or even Rs. 400/ head.

I am so frustrated and angry at our own people for overcharging us.

I confronted the driver today as it was not even 3 pm and he was charging us extra Rs. 50. The funny or the most pathetic part is the lack of support I received from fellow passengers.

Forget about the driver exhibiting any shame for this illegal rip off of our hard earned money, a passenger, who I assume, knew the driver commented “choridew choridew, afnui Nepali Daju Bhai lai kina complain gareko”.

I am out of words now. I am still in the taxi.

Please Help.

M. Subba