Metered three-wheelers are a preferred mode of transport among commuters now, but the lack of a monitoring body or institution to keep a check on more than 600,000 metered and un-metered vehicles and to pull the brakes when necessary, is steering some people away, the Sunday Times learns.
Many opt for metered three-wheelers not only because the rates are cheaper but also to avoid the hassle of bargaining.
“As I am a working mother, I do most of my household purchases during the weekend. I use a metered three-wheeler to do my shopping and other short trips like taking the children to and from classes. But now I find more and more three-wheeler drivers are fixing the meter. Sometimes I have paid more for a metered vehicle than for an unmetered one and I dislike bargaining,” Dharshini Bandara, a mother of three said.
Chathusha who works at a private firm in Colombo echoed a similar sentiment. “I usually get late when leaving office and I find it safer to travel in metered taxis. However of late when I get into taxis that are not run by companies, the drivers invariably give a lame excuse saying the meter is broken or that it doesn’t function properly due to some technical problem,” she said adding that some even take long routes instead of short cuts and drive slowly near signal lights to increase the waiting charges.
Her views were shared by many three-wheeler commuters. They complain that unscrupulous drivers have tampered with the meters in such a way that it runs even when the vehicle is stationary. In some meters, 800 metres read as one kilometre.
“Unfortunately, there is no state body where complaints can be lodged unless we decide to self-regularize. The absence of such a law enforcement authority leaves room for exploitation,” All Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union President Lalith Dharmasekare admitted.
He said digital metered taxis were introduced primarily to stop drivers charging exorbitant rates that resulted in the three-wheeler service becoming unpopular.
“Rs. 50 is charged for the first kilometre and Rs. 30 for every subsequent kilometre. However, the recent petrol price hike compelled us to increase this to Rs.32. However different three-wheeler companies have set different rates ranging from Rs. 32 to Rs. 45 for the subsequent kilometre,” he said.
He said since most drivers do not display the charge per kilometre, commuters are unaware of how much they are being charged.
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| One says Rs. 40, the other Rs 35: Different meter readings for the the subsequent kilometre rate following
the Rs. 50 for the first kilometre |
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“Usually after 10 p.m. there is a 15 percent additional increase. But some fix the time so that when a commuter gets into a three-wheeler even at 5 p.m. it records as 5 a.m. and the rate increases by 15%,” Mr. Dharmasekare said.
“Though regulations regarding three wheelers were proposed in 1999 nothing has been done so far. Bodies such as the Private Transport Ministry, Motor Traffic Department, National Transport Commission, Consumer Affairs Authority and Police should get involved to implement such a venture,” he said.
Three-wheel Lanka Pvt. Ltd commonly referred to as ‘Budget Taxi’ was the first to introduce digital meters in the country. Managing director Kelum Jayasumana said the company conducts training programmes on road rules, driver discipline and customer care in addition to all drivers being given uniforms consisting of a white mandarin collar shirt and black trouser.
“It is of little use making metered taxis mandatory if there is no monitoring body. The Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry should bring in regulations that make it mandatory to display the charge per kilometre,”he said adding that 70 percent of their client base are females and it was important to ensure their safety.
When undercover Sunday Times reporters made inquiries from a company that sells meters, an official said they could manipulate the meter if it was bought from them.
Meanwhile Private Transport Minister C.B. Ratnayake said although three-wheelers come under the category of private transport, they don’t come under his ministry’s purview.
However, he said the ministry hopes to bring in new laws that will introduce price regulations and a code of ethics for three wheelers and schoolvans.
He said discussions are being held with the Legal Draftsman’s Department and once Parliament approval was obtained, the ministry will seek the support of police and the National Transport Commission.
The minister said the Consumer Affairs Authority could play its role by bringing in regulations that would make it mandatory to display the charges per kilometre.
National Transport Commission (NTC) chairman Roshan Gunawardene said once the regulations are passed the Commission would be taking in complaints and initiating legal action, where necessary.
He said the new regulations also will include price control, displaying of rates and regular checks by NTC officials and police.
Mr. Gunawardene said he was hopeful the regulations would come into effect within two months. |
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