January 18: Taxis are prohibited to park in core areas of Phuentsholing town. Taxi drivers say this has affected the business for several reasons. Most say they are losing customers as passengers have to walk all the way to the taxi stand.

Taxis are prohibited to park and stop in the core areas in Phuentsholing town. Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) says this was done to mitigate congestion.

The City Corporation has also written to traffic office in Thimphu. The letter said a free taxi parking in the core area have been earmarked once the current parking contract expire with Dorji Tshongkhang.

Meanwhile, the local taxi drivers said this is stripping them of their business. They said it is also inconvenient for passenger to come all the way to the present taxi stand near the regional customs office.

Cab drivers said most of the customers in need of a cab are found in the core area. Due to this cab drivers said they lose passengers to the Indian counterparts. They said allowing taxis to stop in the core area for a certain time will help solve the problem.

The Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Sonam Gyeltshen said this has been an issue for some time now and they are looking into the matter.

Taxi drivers said they approached concerned authorities and are yet to receive the response.