CNG, Oh, CNG!
By Abu Md Masani
Most drivers of CNG-run autorickshaws, commonly just called CNG, do not follow the rules.
The authorities have increased the fare rate and made it mandatory for drivers to go to destinations wherever passengers want to go. And to follow the fare meter. But they dont care.
Harassment of commuters by CNG drivers is increasing day by day to an unbearable level with demands for higher fare and refusal to go on short trips, even for extra fare. Most of the time, they do not want to use meters and even if they agree to do so, they demand almost double the fare in the name of increased expenses.
Ziaul Hasan Ali, a businessman, along with his family members, was waiting for a transport as they had to attend a family event. He stopped many CNG autorickshaws, but the drivers of the vehicles refused to take them to Kazipara from Mirpur 11. Luckily, one CNG driver agreed to go there. But there was a condition _ they had to pay him Tk100, though the distance was hardly two kilometres. Seeing no other option, Ali had to meet the drivers demand with his head bowed.
Another passenger, Selina Afrose, wanted to go to Dhanmondi from Mirpur. Three different auto-rickshaw drivers asked for Tk 300-350, before one of them settled for a bargain of Tk 270. There is nothing we can do about it. I have an emergency, so I have no option but to go paying the extra money, she said.
And often after you have settled a price, the driver will switch on the meter and ask you matter-of-factly to fib and say he is going by the meter if stopped by the police!
This is a common scene among commuters who must use CNGs in the capital everyday. Mentionable, the drivers demand the highest fares during rush hours.
Office-goers, students, elderly people and patients are the worst victims of the whims of these drivers as they take advantage of the hapless passengers.
CNG autorickshaws have electronic meters to calculate and display officially fixed fares. Under the latest revised rates, which came into effect last November, the minimum charge for the first two kilometres is fixed at Tk 40 and Tk 12 for each kilometre thereafter, with Tk 2 per minute as waiting charge. Meanwhile, drivers have to pay the owners Tk 900 per day as rent for their vehicles.
Recently, I was waiting for a CNG to go to the National Press Club to attend a meeting. As usual, no driver agreed to go by the meter, citing various lame excuses. And having no other option, I was compelled to agree to pay an extra Tk 20 with the fare to get there.
On the way, I asked the driver why he was ignoring the rates fixed by the authorities. Kalimuddin, the driver, said: We have to pay Tk 1,000 to our owner every day as deposit money. Besides, refilling CNG costs Tk 400 and at least Tk 100 is needed for personal expenses. If we earn Tk 2,000 in a day, we are left with only Tk 400 to 500. So, if we carry passengers on the government approved rate, we will be left with practically nothing at the end of the day.
If you ask owners why they charge more, they will give you lame excuses, like the cost of operating the vehicles is rather high.
Another driver, who didnt want to be named, said he had to pay for any repairs as the owner refused to do it. He also claimed that he had to give traffic (sergeant) money to wait for passengers in a no-park zone.
On the flip side, even when a driver decides to go by the meter, usually sensing a heavy jam ahead, some passengers request them not to.
A colleague who lives in Dhanmondi recently came across two small traders, who wished to make a round trip to Gabtoli, refusing to pay by the meter.
When approached, the driver said they offered him Tk 400 for the trip, but the fare on the meter would likely be much more than that, considering jams and waiting charges. Besides, they will bring back sacks of goods from the bus station, and if we are stopped (by traffic police) then I will have to pay a hefty fine, he added.
Many mobile courts are conducted against CNGs in the capital and the courts also fine many instantly.
But nothing seems to change much, and CNG drivers continue with their old habits.
Md Barkatullah Volo, president of the Dhaka Mahanagar CNG Autorickshaw Malik Samiti, asserted that no driver charges extra from passengers.
If they do demand more, why do you people ride in their vehicles? asked the leader of the owners association.
Nazmul Hasan, general secretary of CNG-run Three-Wheeler Owners Association, said: The media always blame us. But they never carry stories on how we have to pay Tk 11 lakh for buying a new CNG autorickshaw, though the actual price is Tk 6 lakh at the most.
Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, a passenger welfare body, claimed that law enforcers and regulatory officials, along with transport workers, are involved in the racket so that CNG drivers are able to charge extra fares.
Talking to this writer, Bijoy Bhushan Pal, director (enforcement) of BRTA, however, said: Everyday, we conduct mobile courts to stop charging of extra fares.
About the action they take against the drivers, he added: We usually fine them. Sometimes, we cancel their licence.
He suggested that passengers should lodge complaints with BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority) if they are charged extra.
I have tried that many a time. But the mobile numbers for complaints posted on the CNGs never seem to work. And when drivers are visibly seen haggling with passengers, law enforcers seem to pay no heed, even when their attention is sought.
The other day, I came across a smartphone app called CNG Meter, a free fare calculator for auto-rickshaws in Bangladesh. It would be useful, only if CNG drivers followed the rules!
Photos: Archives
