CNG run auto–rickshaws were first introduced to replace the metre-free “baby” taxi. But that is precisely what it has failed to achieve. There multitude of reasons why a metre regulated fare system could not have been strictly imposed. The result, nevertheless, is commuters suffering.
Interestingly, the perspective of the other side is often ignored. Today we try to find out what the CNG drivers are thinking, what their problems are, what they want, and are they really willing to abide by a metre based fare system, particularly in light of the revised fare rates. Lastly, we also explore if this new system can lead to change.
One of the main complaints of CNG drivers had been that the metre rates were not sufficient to generate any reasonable amount of income. The revised rate, came into effect from 01 November (for Dhaka), finally addressed this problem. The new rates have been generally acknowledged to be a reasonable upgrade. “The rates are very fair and there is no wiggle room at all,” Alhaj Mohammad Barkatullah Bulo told us when asked if he thinks the new rates are reasonable.
Bulo is the president of Dhaka Mohanogor CNG Auto Rickshaw Malik Shomiti and the convener of CNG Auto Rickshaw Malik Shomiti Oikko Porishod.
“We are not sure if the new rates will change anything,” said Idris and Belayet, CNG auto-rickshaw drivers, three days before the new rates were came into effect. Their garage is in Shankar, Dhanmondi. When asked why they think so, they said, “We have to have some amount of money after all the expenses, otherwise there is no point doing this job. Why will we do a job if we do not have a viable income.”
But how much do these “expenses" account for? The answer to this question has been uniform and identical from all CNG drivers interviewed. The garage expense for hiring the CNG has already increased from Tk600 to Tk900 after the revised fare was announced on September 10. But the price of CNG fuel has also gone up.
“We have to pay Tk1,000 “joma” (taxi hiring fees paid to the CNG owner). And then we need Tk300 worth of gas every day. We need to spend Tk200 more for food and on other miscellaneous expenses,” said Idris. “And don’t forget the occasional repairing cost. We have to pay for them too,” Belayet reminded Idris.
“So, our income comes only after we get past the Tk1,500 mark,” said Ibrahim, another CNG driver whose garage is in Khilgaon. “But I have a good owner,” he added. “I don’t need to pay for repairs and he doesn’t make a big deal if we are a little late when returning the CNG to the garage,” Ibrahim said. Ibrahim’s garage owner owns 175 CNG auto rickshaws, he proudly informed.
The new rates were increased from Tk25 to Tk40 for the first two kilometres, and from Tk7.64 to Tk12 for each additional kilometre. The waiting rate has also been increased for CNG-run auto-rickshaw from Tk1.40 to Tk2 per minute. So, if a CNG waits half an hour in the traffic, that alone will generate Tk60.
But there is one problem that needs to be addressed to be able to implement the metre rates, according to Bulo, the president of Dhaka Mohanogor CNG Auto Rickshaw Malik Shomiti. “Unless and until the authorities solve the prevalent problem of illegal CNG auto-rickshaws we cannot truly get behind a strict metre policy. We wholeheartedly want to. But there are 6,000 CNG auto-rickshaws that are registered as private but they take passengers illegally," Bulo said.
Rintu, a CNG driver based in a Rampura garage, echoed the same concern. “The ‘chhai’ (grey) CNGs are the parasites that are taking our income,” an angry Rintu said.
Bulo says that the BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority) has to be the who implements change. “It is really up to them. If I could go on the street and stop them I would have done so. But the BRTA really needs to keep their promise and solve the illegal vehicle situation. We have communicated this concern repeatedly but there has been no positive result yet,” Bulo said in frustration.
When asked why the owners did not strictly force metre fare anyway and do their part Bulo said that the owners have no problem with doing their part. “It’s not like we are asking the drivers to not use metres,” said Bulo.
“We are fully obliging with government regulations. We have now spent Tk800 to Tk1,000 for each CNG metre to calibrate them to the new rates. If a metre has a problem then it costs Tk2,000,” Bulo said. “We are even spending Tk7,000 for completely broken metres. Why we are doing this if we don’t want to comply with a metre based, fare system?” Bulo added indignantly.
In absence of any systemic data it is difficult to correctly estimate how many of the drivers are still charging fares arbitrarily. But anecdotal evidence seem to suggest that after the new rates came into effect on November 1, CNG drivers in general are charging passengers by the metre.
Haidar, a CNG driver from a garage in Beri Badh, said he will ask for non-metre fare during weekends. “Because without traffic congestion the fare is just not enough,” he said. But he is willing to go by the metre on weekdays when there is a lot of traffic jam.