CNG auto-rickshaw drivers charge extra

Even as finding a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in the pouring rain has turned into a big hassle for the past two days, the fares have increased exponentially, adding to the problems of commuters in Dhaka. It’s all due to the recent hike in the price of gas by the government.
This correspondent wanted to travel from the Mahakhali footbridge to Tejgaon. All auto-rickshaw divers asked for Tk. 150-200 for a distance of 1.5 km that previously used to cost Tk. 80-100.
Another passenger, Sajid Hossain, wanted to go to Dhanmondi from the same place. Three different auto-rickshaw drivers asked for Tk. 300-350 before one of them settled for a fare of Tk. 270. “There is nothing we can do about it. I have an emergency, so I have no option but to pay,” he said.
Several CNG auto-rickshaw owners were asked about the reason for the sudden price hike. All of them said they were compelled to charge more as the price of gas has increased by Tk. 5. After the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the revised price of gas on Thursday, a cubic meter of CNG now costs Tk. 35 compared to Tk. 30 earlier.
“In these traffic conditions, it’s hard to make more than four trips in a day. After paying Tk. 800 to the owner and increased price for gas, I was left with just Tk. 180 yesterday (Tuesday),” said Salman Shah, an auto-rickshaw driver.
“The government has increased the price of gas leaving us with no option other than hiking the fares. The owners have already hinted that they would be soon increasing the daily rent for the auto-rickshaws. How do you think we will survive,” said another auto-rickshaw driver, who did not want his name to be mentioned.
Meanwhile, the commuters are bearing the brunt of increased fares. Papyia Jubair, a doctor who works in a hospital in Mahakhali, said commuting has almost become impossible. “I live in Azimpur and every day I have to come to the hospital here. When I heard about the increase in gas price, my first reaction was that auto-rickshaw fares would also be increased,” she said.

Papyia said that she can’t use the public transport because the buses are always packed to seams. “I have no other option. I used to spend almost a third of my salary on commuting in auto-rickshaws.  Now, with the price increase, I would probably end up spending half my salary on commuting,” she said. The fares of CNG-run bus have also increased even though the government is yet to take a decision in this regard.
The Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul
Quader, had said that bus fares won’t be increased until the Public Transport Fare Coordination Panel has given its recommendations. But The Independent found that fares on almost all bus routes have been increased, defying the government’s order.
Several bus drivers said that they have to pay more for CNG so they are forced to increase the fares. “Our owners have told us to hike the fares,” said a driver of a private bus service that operates between Gulshan and Azimpur.
Interestingly, the Dhaka Bus Owners’ Association issued a circular, which said bus fares should not be increased until the government decides the new rates in line with the hike in fuel price. The Dhaka Metropolitan CNG-run Auto-rickshaw Owners’ Association also promised not to increase fares without government approval.
However, various associations have submitted proposals to the government on Sunday regarding the revision of fares of local CNG-run buses.
Khondoker Enayetullah, Secretary General, Dhaka Bus Owners’ Association, told The Independent that they are not aware of individual bus owners increasing the fares. “We have submitted a proposal to the government for readjusting the bus fares in accordance with the increase in price of gas. So, I don’t see a point in hiking fares illegally. I am not aware of any such incident,” he said.

CNG auto-rickshaw drivers charge extra

Even as finding a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in the pouring rain has turned into a big hassle for the past two days, the fares have increased exponentially, adding to the problems of commuters in Dhaka. Its all due to the recent hike in the price of gas by the government. This correspondent wanted to travel from the Mahakhali footbridge to Tejgaon. All auto-rickshaw divers asked for Tk. 150-200 for a distance of 1.5 km that previously used to cost Tk. 80-100. Another passenger, Sajid Hossain, wanted to go to Dhanmondi from the same place. Three different auto-rickshaw drivers asked for Tk. 300-350 before one of them settled for a fare of Tk. 270. There is nothing we can do about it. I have an emergency, so I have no option but to pay, he said. Several CNG auto-rickshaw owners were asked about the reason for the sudden price hike. All of them said they were compelled to charge more as the price of gas has increased by Tk. 5. After the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the revised price of gas on Thursday, a cubic meter of CNG now costs Tk. 35 compared to Tk. 30 earlier. In these traffic conditions, its hard to make more than four trips in a day. After paying Tk. 800 to the owner and increased price for gas, I was left with just Tk. 180 yesterday (Tuesday), said Salman Shah, an auto-rickshaw driver. The government has increased the price of gas leaving us with no option other than hiking the fares. The owners have already hinted that they would be soon increasing the daily rent for the auto-rickshaws. How do you think we will survive, said another auto-rickshaw driver, who did not want his name to be mentioned. Meanwhile, the commuters are bearing the brunt of increased fares. Papyia Jubair, a doctor who works in a hospital in Mahakhali, said commuting has almost become impossible. I live in Azimpur and every day I have to come to the hospital here. When I heard about the increase in gas price, my first reaction was that auto-rickshaw fares would also be increased, she said. Papyia said that she cant use the public transport because the buses are always packed to seams. I have no other option. I used to spend almost a third of my salary on commuting in auto-rickshaws. Now, with the price increase, I would probably end up spending half my salary on commuting, she said. The fares of CNG-run bus have also increased even though the government is yet to take a decision in this regard. The Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader, had said that bus fares wont be increased until the Public Transport Fare Coordination Panel has given its recommendations. But The Independent found that fares on almost all bus routes have been increased, defying the governments order. Several bus drivers said that they have to pay more for CNG so they are forced to increase the fares. Our owners have told us to hike the fares, said a driver of a private bus service that operates between Gulshan and Azimpur. Interestingly, the Dhaka Bus Owners Association issued a circular, which said bus fares should not be increased until the government decides the new rates in line with the hike in fuel price. The Dhaka Metropolitan CNG-run Auto-rickshaw Owners Association also promised not to increase fares without government approval. However, various associations have submitted proposals to the government on Sunday regarding the revision of fares of local CNG-run buses. Khondoker Enayetullah, Secretary General, Dhaka Bus Owners Association, told The Independent that they are not aware of individual bus owners increasing the fares. We have submitted a proposal to the government for readjusting the bus fares in accordance with the increase in price of gas. So, I dont see a point in hiking fares illegally. I am not aware of any such incident, he said.