SHILLONG : Tourists visiting Meghalaya may soon be able to book registered tourist cabs directly through a mobile app, with the Tourism Department preparing a new platform aimed at making tourist transport easier to access and more transparent.
A pilot workshop for the proposed Meghalaya Tourism Taxi Booking App was held at the State Convention Centre on Wednesday, bringing together government officials, tourist taxi operators, drivers and other tourism stakeholders.
The first phase is expected to cover around 200 Prime Vehicle beneficiaries along with other eligible tourist taxi operators. The initial focus will be on long-distance tourist services.The proposed system will connect tourists with registered taxi operators, hotels, resorts and tour operators. It will have separate systems for the Tourism Department, drivers and customers, allowing tourists to request rides from active drivers while keeping records of bookings and transactions.
GPS tracking and OTP-based verification are among the features being planned for the platform. The system is also expected to include monitoring measures for both passengers and operators.
Unlike commercial cab-booking platforms, the Tourism Department said it will not take a commission from bookings. The payment arrangement will remain directly between the passenger and the driver. Operators will have to undergo individual verification before joining the platform. Valid permits, licences, insurance and other required documents will be checked, with the Transport Department and Meghalaya Police involved in the verification process.
The Tourism Department said taxi associations may assist operators during the onboarding process, but final eligibility will be decided through the official verification system. The proposed platform will also be linked with the Meghalaya Tourism Helpline for customer support and grievance handling.
Commissioner and Secretary of Tourism R.M. Kurbah said the initiative was aimed at improving the experience of visitors coming to Meghalaya, while also protecting them from fraudulent payment practices. She said the platform was not intended to replace or compete with the existing taxi system. Instead, technology would be used to improve coordination, safety and accountability, including through coordination with police and traffic authorities.
Assistant Director of Tourism Philip F. Tariang said work on the initiative began in late 2024 and was developed further through consultations with tourist taxi associations and Prime Vehicle beneficiaries.
The department has not announced the full public launch date yet.
The workshop also included practical training for drivers and a demonstration of the platform by xLayer Technologies, the technology company involved in the project.
An incentive system and wider stakeholder engagement plan will be worked out separately before the broader rollout. Training and awareness programmes are also planned for participating drivers.
The department is also looking at whether the service could eventually include tourist-oriented two-wheelers.
Meghalaya Tourism’s existing online booking platform currently lists cabs under services marked “Coming Soon”, indicating that cab booking is still being prepared for wider public use. The new initiative would therefore give the state a more structured digital system for connecting tourists with verified tourist taxi operators once the first phase becomes operational.
