December 31: With a large number of people rushing home to vote, there were complaints that taxi drivers were taking advantage of the situation and overcharging passengers. Taxi drivers said their fare varies depending on the situation.

A passenger on his way to Phuentsholing haggles with a taxi driver over the fare.

It is Sunday morning, 30th December, just one day before Bhutanese vote in the National Council elections. There is a huge rush of people to neighbouring dzongkhags like Paro, Punakha, Wangduephodrang and Trongsa.

Many of them not being able to get bus tickets decided to travel by taxis. But at the Lungtenzampa taxi stand, they found that the fare has increased by as much as half the normal amount. In some cases, they found taxi drivers were charging double the normal fare.

The usual taxi fare from Thimphu to Paro is Nu. 100. But today the fare is Nu. 150. The taxi fare to Phuentsholing increased from Nu. 350 to Nu.500. To travel to Punakha and Wangduephodrang, taxi drivers were asking Nu. 200, an increase of Nu. 50.

Some of the taxi drivers said the fare fluctuates depending on rush and the urgency. Other taxi drivers said they have hiked the fare slightly because they have to return to Thimphu empty.

Passengers found the increase unreasonable but many had no option but to comply while others bargained for lower rates. Most of the passengers did not seem to know about the fare fixed by the Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA).