CNG auto-rickshaws not going by govt-fixed fare

The CNG-run auto-rickshaws are charging fares more than what was fixed by the government.

The government on May 16, after the price hike of CNG, raised the fare of the CNG-run three-wheelers to Tk 7.50 a kilometre from Tk 7 and kept the minimum fare unchanged at Tk 25.

It increased the waiting charge to Tk 1.30 a minute from Tk 1.25.

But at present CNG-run auto-rickshaws are charging at their sweet will, alleged commuters in different areas of the capital city.

'Before the price hike of CNG, the fare was really comfortable, but now it has become quite unbearable for us,' said Jerin Sultana, an Elephant Road resident.

She said she used to come to Karwan Bazar from Shahbagh in a CNG-auto-rickshaw with a fare of Tk 30, which is Tk 80 at present.

Saiful Alam, resident of Dhanmondi, said even for the shortest distance the auto-rickshaws were demanding Tk 80.

'If the distance is big, the auto-rickshaws are demanding Tk 10 to Tk 20 more than the actual fare,' he added.

Mirpur-10 resident Habiba said the CNG auto-rickshaws demanded Tk 120 for going to Bashundhara City, refusing to go by the meter.

An auto-rickshaw driver said they were compelled to charge more than the government-fixed fares as the CNG price increased and the owners were charging up to Tk 1,200 as daily deposit.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority engineering department director Mohammad Saiful Hoque said at present they were not carrying out any mobile court against the CNG-run auto-rickshaws.

He said the owners of these vehicles at a meeting on May 29 had agreed to the government fixed-fare and Tk 600 as daily deposit from the drivers. 

'At the meeting the decision to adjust the meters with the newly-fixed fares was taken but it is yet to be implemented,' said Saiful Hoque.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's traffic south division's additional deputy-police commissioner Mohammad Zaidul Alam said if someone would file any complain with the police, they took action against the errant CNG-auto-rickshaw.

'No, we have no special drive against those charging extra fare but our regular drive is continuing,' he added.

Source : New Age