<i>Three-wheelers still ply city roads without meters</i>
CNG-run auto-rickshaws in the port city. Photo: STAR
CNG-run auto-rickshaws continue to ply the city roads without meters, ignoring repeated warnings from Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP). Of 13,000 auto-rickshaws, not a single one does use meters, causing immense sufferings to the common commuters. Of the installed meters, only around 500 now operate while the others are out of order, sources said. CMP Commissioner Mainur Rahman Chowdhury at a meeting with journalists on November 28 asked the traffic department to find out the reasons behind the violation of rules by the drivers and owners and prepare a report in this regard. He said CNG service in Chittagong might be suspended if the drivers and owners continue to violate the regulations. The service, since its launching in 2003, is one of the main modes of transport for the commuters in the port city. Though around 13,000 CNG-run auto rickshaws are registered with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the number of three-wheelers will be much more, sources said. The government asked the three-wheelers on April 6 in 2005 to install meters and charge fare according to a price chart. The price chart was adjusted after the interim government set new regulations and price structures for the CNG-run auto-rickshaws in May, they said, But the process of meter installing meters falters as the owners non-cooperated with the authorities concerned. It took around one and a half years to install meters in most of the three-wheelers while the CMP deadline for meter installation was extended several times. Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Mohammad Ali Mian said the CMP action forced the defiant owners to install meters in almost all the three-wheelers. The situation has worsened now as the drivers refuse to use their meters, forcing the commuters to pay higher fare, city dwellers said. Mohammad Ali, a banker, said it has become impossible to travel any little distance in the city charging below Tk 40. “It hardly costs Tk 25 to travel to my office at Jamal Khan around 4km from my residence at Pathantuly Choumuhoni. But the drivers now charge Tk 40 for the journey,” said Ali. The expense has reduced remarkably after converting of the auto-rickshaws into CNG with gas worth Tk 80 to Tk 100 for the whole day while an octane-driven auto-rickshaw needs five to six litres of fuel a day, sources said. “We are yet to reap the benefits of meter installation as they always remain switched off,” said Atiqur Rahman, an official at Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ). None of us use meters now, said Jahurul Hoque, an auto-rickshaw driver. Besides, meter of his vehicle has gone out of order that was installed a year ago. He admitted that they don't charge fare fixed by the government. He said he is to spend Tk 100 for gas, pay Tk 510 to the owner and Tk 10 to the guard of the garage. Besides, he needs a minimum of Tk 50 as pocket money that raises his daily expenses over Tk 670. “So what have I rest in my pocket after the expenses?" he questioned. He said the government fixed fair is too little to support his expenses. Delwar Hossain, general secretary of Chittagong Auto-rickshaw, Auto-tempo, Four-stroke and CNG Owners' Association, said the meters supplied by the BRTA-enlisted firms are of below par quality. But the companies, responsible for installing meters, refuted the allegation, saying the drivers and owners damage the meters willingly to extract excessive fare from the passengers. Sirajul Islam of Crystal Agencies said they had sold same kind of meter in the capital city that are still in operation and there is no scope to sell any below par quality meter here. DC Ali said they will prepare a report after a meeting with the representatives of drivers, owners, commuters and specialists on December 5 (today) which will be sent to the communication ministry. He said stern action will be taken against the violators of rules and a 10-day deadline to be given the people concerned in this regard, he said.
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