New CNG auto fare effective

The new fare for CNG-run auto-rickshaws came into effect yesterday but most auto-rickshaw drivers refused to use metres to comply with the government-fixed fare in the capital.
The charge for the first two km has been increased to Tk 25 from Tk 14 and for each subsequent km Tk 7 from Tk 6. The waiting charge has been upped to Tk 1.25 from Tk 1 per minute.
There have been widespread allegations that many drivers did not upgrade their metres in line with the government directive, while some charged passengers extra money.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority is yet to take any measure to enforce the revised fare.
Wishing anonymity, a passenger said he hired an auto-rickshaw to go to Baridhara from Farmgate.
“The meter showed the fare was Tk 157 but I had to pay him Tk 180. Later, I was forced to pay Tk 200 for returning to Farmgate as no auto-rickshaw driver agreed to use metres,” the passenger said.
Many commuters got into altercation with auto-rickshaw drivers, who refused to run metres.