This anarchy should be stopped

It seems that it is not possible to stop anarchy in the movement of CNG-run auto-rickshaws. There is no discipline in paying fare for auto-rickshaws and taxicabs ply on city streets.

Drivers are charging their passengers according to their wish. Due to this, dissatisfaction is increasing among city commuters day by day. Although the authority has fixed fares in different time, it is not maintained. It can be said that passengers have become hostages to auto-rickshaw drivers.

There is no discipline not only in auto-rickshaws and taxicabs but also in public transports in city. On the other hand, anarchy over fare exists as well. Public transport means buses will stop at a stoppage after a certain period and leave the stoppage after taking passengers. Buses should not be waiting for long even if there are more passengers at the stoppage. But we are experiencing an opposite scene in this case. It is often seen that buses and minibuses of bad condition are moving in the city streets. The buses are seen to take more passengers. For this, the vehicles get packed with passengers. Passengers are seen to pay extra charge.

On the other hand, buses are seen to lock in race in taking passengers and gear up speed. This always results in frequent road accidents. Sometimes buses storm into roadside footpath and run over passers-by. Sometimes buses storm into islands after breaking railings in the middle of the roads.

According to a recent observation of a private organisation Jatri Kalyan Samity, 86 percent of auto-rickshaw drivers are operating their vehicles on contractual basis. They are forcing the passengers in this regard. The passengers are to pay the fare according to the contract. The auto-rickshaw drivers are not seen to follow the rate of fare set by the government. Again, 97 percent of auto-rickshaw drivers are demanding tips from the passengers although sometimes the drivers are seen operating on meters. 82 percent of auto-rickshaw drivers are reluctant to go to the destination of the passengers.

The organisation has collected this information after conducting a survey on over 2,000 auto-rickshaws and the survey was conducted in 40 areas including Sayedabad in the capital. The situation was not developed even after complying with a demand of 60 percent fare increase from drivers and owners around a year ago. As a result, the passengers are suffering a lot. Again, the passengers are being forced to go to their destination with extra charge as the numbers of auto-rickshaws are less than the demand.

But the drivers have counter statements in this regard. They say the owners of auto-rickshaws are taking double fare from them although the authority has set a deposition of TK 900 a day. Besides, TK 10 to 20 is to pay as extra money for picking passengers from different places. As a result, they face loss if they operate their vehicles on meters.

How many days will this condition continue? How many days will the passengers have to suffer? Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) should take effective steps to stop this anarchy. There is a law to cancel registration or route permit if the drivers are reluctant to go on meters. But the reality is that it is not being implemented in most cases.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) should pay sharp eye on this issue. The law violators should be fined alongside the cancellation of their route permit. Stern action should be taken against those owners who are taking deposit money in double. Action should also be taken against the reckless drivers.

risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 7, 2016/NA/Amirul/Augustin Sujan