Auto-rickshaw, taxi drivers not using fare meters in capital

Despite being installed in almost all auto-rickshaws and taxicabs in the capital, electronic fare meters are not being used.
Fares are charged at the sweet will of the drivers, who also refuse to run short distances, and passengers who want to pay by the meter find themselves left standing by the road.
Many commuters complained to this news agency that the authorities concerned and law enforcers, especially traffic police, are not taking effective steps to compel the drivers to abide by the rules.
As per Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) rules, the drivers of the capital's 13,000 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and 1,000 to 1,200 taxicabs are bound to use fare meters and take passengers to their desired destinations.
As per BRTA's fare chart updated in 2011, the charge for the first two kilometres is Tk 25, Tk 7 for each subsequent kilometre and Tk 1.25 per minute for stoppage.
Abdur Rahman, a commuter on Mouchak-Banasree route, said he recently had to pay Tk 250 for a ride from Rampura to Kachukhet though it should not be over Tk 100 by the meter.
The drivers often refuse to go to the passengers' desired destinations, he added.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader told the news agency that BRTA was asked to operate mobile courts to make sure that the vehicles ran on fare meters.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner (media) Masudur Rahman said traffic police were conducting the drives.
Nabib Kamal, a high official of Traffic Police (DMP), said tailbacks were created when they stopped vehicles to check the use of meters. “The fine for the offence is too insignificant,” he added.