BRTA backtracks from reinforcing punishment for CNG autorickshaw drivers violating meter fare
Demanding withdrawal of the order, autorickshaw drivers had demonstrated in the past few days by blocking the roads throughout Dhaka city
Highlights:
- BRTA cancels Tk50,000 fine or up to 6 months jail term for CNG autorickshaw drivers
- Fine or jail term was reinforced on 10 Feb to drivers who charge more than meter fare
- CNG autorickshaw drivers' demonstration ends after BRTA withdraws order
- Drivers protested the fine or jail term by blocking some roads in Dhaka since 11 Feb
- Passengers faced hardship due to the drivers' road blockades
- Drivers claim overcharging persists due to high owner deposits
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has cancelled its 10 February order that sought to reenforce Tk50,000 fines or up to six months jail terms for CNG-run autorickshaw drivers who charge more than the fare shown on the meter.
The cancellation order came via a letter signed by BRTA Director (Engineering) Shitangshu Shekhor Biswas, sent to the authorities concerned including Bangladesh Police, this morning (16 February).,
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The protesting CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers suspended their demonstration after BRTA withdrew the decision.
In its 10 February order, BRTA said CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers will be fined a maximum of Tk50,000 or face imprisonment for up to six months for overcharging.
It said a case will be filed in accordance with the BRTA directives, sent to all authorities concerned including the police, in incidents where the drivers charge more than the government-set meter fare.
Since the order was issued, demanding its withdrawal, autorickshaw drivers had demonstrated in the last few days by blocking roads around Dhaka city.
The cancellation order came this morning after the drivers blocked several roads around the capital city again, demanding the withdrawal of the BRTA decision and increasing the base fare on the meter.
The drivers were seen using their vehicles to block the roads at Agargaon's Taltola area, Hatirjheel and other parts of the city, causing huge traffic congestions.
They were also seen sitting and lying down on the streets beside their vehicles, chanting slogans.
Frustrated commuters were seen walking or taking rickshaws from the other side of the blockades to get to their destinations.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) via a press release this morning also acknowledged receiving the cancellation order after BRTA issued it.
The recent BRTA directive issued for four-stroke three-wheeler vehicles has been cancelled and all concerned have been informed about this development, it said.
DMP also requested the drivers to lift the blockade and clear the roads to allow vehicular movement, read the release signed by DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman.
Currently, the government-set minimum fare for autorickshaws is Tk40 for the first two kilometres, and after that, the fare is Tk12 per km. Also, the waiting charge is set at Tk2 per minute.
Passengers have complained that in Dhaka's autorickshaws, it is impossible to travel a short distance for less than Tk150.
CNG autorickshaw owners are also collecting additional deposits daily. As per government policy, the daily deposit for owners is currently set at Tk900.
However, drivers claim that owners collect deposits from them twice a day, in the morning and evening, often collecting between Tk1,200 to Tk2,000 in some cases. This forces the drivers to charge passengers more, they claimed, to come up with the money for daily deposits.
A BRTA official, on condition of anonymity, recently told The Business Standard that BRTA decided to reenforce the punishments, provisions for which already exist in the current law, as they received many complaints of overcharging in recent times.
