The newly-fixed fare of CNG-run auto-rickshaws is coming into effect from today in the port city.
Authorities of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) said around 13,000 registered CNG-run auto-rickshaws would have to charge fares from commuters as per metre from today.
The afresh fare for CNG-run auto-rickshaws was fixed at Tk40 for the first two kilometres and Tk12 for each additional kilometre. The waiting charge for the CNG-run auto-rickshaws has been fixed at Tk2 for per minute.
Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, secretary general of Passengers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh, however, expressed doubt whether the decision of mandatory metre use in the CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Chittagong would be implemented or not.
“According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, 13,000 CNG auto-rickshaws are permitted to ply in Chittagong city. Around 7,000 more CNG auto-rickshaws ply in the city without registration. However, we know that only 2,000 CNG auto-rickshaws were calibrated till today,” said Chowdhury.
“The commuters’ rights have seriously been trampled by the newly fixed fares. It is discriminatory to fix same amount of fares in Chittagong. Moreover, the fares have been fixed without any concern of the commuters. We demand re-fixing fares for greater interest of the commuters of Chittagong,” said Chowdhury.
“The mandatory use of metre will become successful only when a monitoring body will be formed involving all stakeholders,” he added.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Masud-ul-Hasan, deputy commissioner of CMP (traffic-north) said they would take punitive measures against the drivers if metres were not found in the CNG auto-rickshaws.
Responding to a query about the successful implementation of mandatory metre use, the deputy commissioner said CNG auto-rickshaw drivers were given a deadline for calibration (installation of metres) by February 1.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader reiterated that no CNG-run auto-rickshaw could ply in the capital and premier port city without metre from today.
The minister came up with the announcement yesterday while addressing as the chief guest a youth conference in the city.
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the youth conference at five-star hotel at Radisson Blu as part of celebrating its 100th anniversary programme.
