<i>CNG-run autorickshaws still cash in on passengers' woes</i>
Autorickshaws plying city streets. Photo: STAR
The CNG-run autorickshaws continued to charge high and extra fare from the passengers in the port city ignoring the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) traffic rules. The police launched several drives to force the drivers to follow meters to charge fare without any results. The commuters are yet to get benefits of installation of meters in the three-wheelers. The drivers are reluctant to follow fare structure according to meter. The drivers got enraged when CMP traffic department launched a drive on April 21 to check violation of rules, including non-use of meter. Around 6,000 drivers staged demonstrations on April 27 and enforced a wildcat strike demanding an end to police harassment. They also went on the rampage and ransacked more than 50 vehicles on the day. They were also locked in a clash with the automobile traders at Sheikh Mujib Road, leaving at least 30 people injured. The strike continued for three days and the situation became normal after arrest of some 27 drivers and seven leaders of Chittagong Metropolitan Auto-rickshaw and Auto-tempo Workers' Welfare Union on April 29 during the strike. Though around 13,000 CNG-run auto rickshaws are registered with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the number of the three-wheeler is believed to be higher, said driver Nasir Mia. The administration asked the CNG-run auto rickshaws on April 6 in 2005 to install meters and follow price chart fixed by the government. The caretaker government set new regulations and price structures for them in May 2007, sources said. The government raised fare for the CNG-run autorickshaws and other CNG-run transports to cope with the new price of Compressed Natural Gas on April 26 in 2008 two days after the CNG price was hiked. Under the new fare structure, initial charge was fixed at Tk 14 for any distance up to two kilometers as against Tk 13.50. Fare for each extra kilometre was raised to Tk 6 from Tk 5.50. But the process of meter installation in CNG-run three wheelers faced obstacles due to non-cooperation of owners and drivers, said a CMP traffic department official. While talking to this correspondent, the drivers blamed the attitude of the auto-rickshaw owners, meter installation companies and members of law enforcement agencies as well as passengers for non-use of meter. Harun, a driver, said they are the ultimate sufferers. He said they are to pay to the owners over Tk 550 for each shift while most of the owners ply their vehicles two shifts a day when the government fixed the rate at only Tk 450 per day. Passengers want to give fare according to the meters while travelling short distance they deny it and pressure contract fare while travelling to long distance especially to the outskirts, said driver Hashem, adding that they earn a very little since the metropolitan area in Chittagong is shorter than the capital city. Driver Jashim blamed the meter installation companies for providing below quality meters as they become out of order only one month after repair. He said police never take any action against the owners or meter installation companies. CMP (traffic) department at a meeting with owners, drivers and meter installation companies on May 6 directed the owners to receive Tk 450 per day from the drivers according to the government fixed rate. Deputy Commissioner (DC) (traffic) Mainul Islam said the owners are to issue receipts to the drivers for the money. The DC said they informed the drivers about the decision as well as urge them to complain against the owners if they (owners) violate it. He said they would take action against the drivers, owners and meter installation companies to streamline the service.
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