Overcharging: Punishment for CNG auto-rickshaw drivers set to be reinforced 

• Govt set least fare Tk40 for first 2 kms, Tk12/km thereafter
• Waiting charge Tk2 per minute
• Passengers report no fare below Tk150
• CNG owners collect deposits up to Tk2,000, exceeding Tk900 limit from drivers 

The government seeks to reinforce fines or jail terms for CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers who charge more than the fare shown on the meter.

They will be fined a maximum Tk50,000 or face imprisonment for up to six months for the offence, according to a letter signed by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Director (Engineering) Shitangshu Shekhor Biswas, sent to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner on Monday (10 February).

The letter states that in cases where the drivers charge more than the government-set meter fare, a case will be filed in accordance with the BRTA directives.

An official from the BRTA, on condition of anonymity said, "The provisions for punishment already exist in the current law. However, since it has not been strictly enforced for a long time, we are receiving complaints of overcharging. Therefore, a letter has been sent to the police to reinforce this."

Under the Road Transport Act, 2018, drivers must transport passengers to any destination within the permitted route area and cannot demand or collect fares beyond the meter reading.

Violating this will result in punishment under Section 81 of the law, which could include up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk50,000, or both, as well as one point deducted from the driver's licence.

Currently, the government-set minimum fare for auto-rickshaws 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 auto-rickshaws, it is impossible to travel a short distance for less than Tk150.

Kamal Hossain, a passenger, told The Business Standard that on Saturday, he took a CNG from Kawran Bazar to TSC, and the fare charged was Tk150 for the short route, which, according to the set fare, should have been Tk40.

CNG owners are also collecting additional deposits daily. As per government policy, the daily deposit for auto-rickshaw owners is currently set at Tk900.

However, drivers claim that owners take the auto-rickshaw fare from them twice a day, in the morning and evening, often collecting between Tk1,200 to Tk2,000 in some cases.

When asked about action against the owners, BRTA Chairman Mohammed Yasin told TBS that steps would be taken against them as well. He advised contacting Shitangshu Shekhor for further details.

Despite multiple attempts to contact him on Tuesday (11 February) evening, Shitangshu Shekhor could not be reached.