The transport authorities made an attempt to protect the passengers' interest by introducing a system that would compel the drivers to go by the fare meter. The fare was raised a bit, while the owners were asked to reduce the amount of money that they take from drivers on a daily basis. So it would have served the drivers well and the passengers would also be benefited if they could pay according to the meter. But the measure has recoiled as owners have decided to introduce two shifts, instead of the usual one, to recover the deposit-related loss. And drivers, now left with much less time in a shift, are employing the same old method of fixing the fares according to their own needs. Now the question is, where do the poor commuters stand in this highly chaotic situation? They are now being compelled to pay even more than they used to.

The rescue operation has clearly been an abortive one so far. So, the BRTA, the organisation in charge of supervising the public transport system in the city, has to address it immediately. It has to persuade both the owners and drivers to comply with the new fare and deposit charts.

One can hardly overlook the role of autorickshaws, as the city is yet to have a public transport system capable of handling an ever-increasing number of commuters. A large segment of public interest is involved here.

The introduction of the meter system was welcomed because it was thought to be the best way to protect commuters' interest. But the drivers and owners found a way to circumvent it and get their own interests served in violation of the law.

Obviously, this cannot continue for an indefinite period of time; the noose of the law must be tightened to make sure that the rules are not violated.