Editorial
Commuters' woes
Good sense should prevail on taxicab and CNG auto drivers
Commuters often complain of harassment by the operators of CNG auto rickshaws and taxicabs. They often refuse to travel to certain places on the plea that the routes to those destinations face traffic jams. Their demand for exorbitant fares is based on their daily deposits to owners having increased considerably. Worst of all, they often refuse to undertake short trips even if higher fares are offered.
Regular commuters like office goers and members of the public trying to reach clinics and hospitals for urgent medical attention or otherwise are usually the worst sufferers of such whims of the drivers.
The matter has become all the more critical with banning of cycle rickshaws from most of the major city roads. As a result, many of the commuters who were formerly travelling by cycle rickshaws at a comparatively cheaper fares are now compelled to travel by taxis and auto rickshaws, more so by auto rickshaws.
Already the city dwellers are burdened with innumerable factors of stress caused by price spiral, erratic power and water supply. As such the commutation problem is an insult to their injury.
We strongly urge monitoring of the situation on a regular basis so that no one is normally able to refuse a passenger to travel to any distance. We understand that the fares, only recently, have been adjusted upwards. At the same time, the authorities will have to ensure that the auto drivers are not required to pay beyond the revised daily deposit of taka 450 to owners.
We are confident that given the will and commitment it is quite possible to deal with the situation effectively by the authority concerned.
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