Most Dhaka auto-rickshaws run on contracts

Defying the government directives, around 62 percent of the CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers charge fares on contract basis, says a report of Bangladesh Passengers' Welfare Association.

Over 80 percent of the drivers, who charge fares on meters, demand additional fares of Tk 20 to Tk 40, says the report, sent to the media yesterday.

The association prepared the report after talking to 1,160 auto-rickshaw passengers at 19 spots in the capital between January 20 and January 28.

The spots include the areas of Sadarghat, Gulistan, Jatiya Press Club, Motijheel, Kamalapur Railway Station, Khilgoan intersection, Farmgate, Malibagh, Mirpur-10, Shahbagh and Airport.

Around 73 percent of the drivers refuse to go to the desired destinations of passengers, it says.

As per the government directives, auto-rickshaw drivers must charge fares on meters and they are bound to carry passengers wherever they want to go.

During the observation period, passengers alleged that they found no activities of Road Transport Authority (BRTA) or any other government bodies to check such irregularities from 8:00am to 10pm, mentions the report.

Contacted, Md Hanif Khokon, general secretary of the Dhaka auto-rickshaw workers' union, raised question about authenticity of the report, saying that the passengers' welfare association does not present accurate information to public.

However, the BRTA chairman and other officials concerned could not be contacted as they did not receive the phone.