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Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Experiences on roads

Experiences on roads
Ashim Kumar Paul

Getting out of home and on the way to your next destination means gaining an assortment of experiences; these are hardly experiences that enrich your memorial fund with sweet recollections, on the contrary, you have to endure some bitter and nauseating memories especially if you are on the move via public transport. (However, if you are lucky, you may successfully draw out your forthcoming path, a path exclusive of acrimonious confrontation which I often encounter on my way.

With a plan to visit my cousin who’s studying and living in a resident college in Dhaka, me along with my masi (aunty) set off to our journey from our hometown Ishwardi to Dhaka, via railway. Following a long-drawn-out ride, we reached and got down at the Airport Railway Station in order to change our route to find another means of transport. While looking for a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at the premises, I congratulated myself on being fortunate enough to find one. But the happiness behind my privileged situation did not take too long to evaporate once we reached our destination. I paid the fare displayed on the fare meter but the driver still insisted on receiving another twenty taka from me! The more I reminded him of the rules and regulations ordained by the government, the more adamant he was in demanding additional pennies. He did not just stop at that, but he jeered and cursed at the government! He went on to state that no other public transport would give us their services unless we agreed to pay the extra amount of money the drivers charged us. Compelled and embarrassed, I had to pay the amount he demanded. While our legislators seem to constantly try to abate the sufferings and harassment of the city dwellers by setting new rules and regulations, several mischievous CNG-run cab and auto-rickshaw drivers are busy innovating new ways of bullying to compel passengers to meet their unlawful demands - blocking our rightful transportation privileges.

One Friday, amidst the cheerful company of my aunty, her son, and one of my friends, when I sought out a taxicab to visit one of our relatives, again I was caught in the same net– in hushed tones, the driver stated that I must pay an extra charge alongside the fare displayed on the fare meter. As we left, our merriment and joy evaporated since I had to concede with the wished-for wage the driver demanded.

During the ride, I dared to question the driver and enquired why they continued to charge extra amounts from the passengers a move which is strongly opposed by the government. I was lucky that the driver was not as rough as others I had acquainted with. He silently smiled and gave an answer that took us by surprise. According to his words, most CNG auto rickshaw owners have reduced the amount of hours a driver can drive to 12 hours, as a result of which drivers are compelled to demand extra payment from commuters to make up for the lost profit they used to make when they drove for longer hours. Alongside this malpractice, many drivers also manipulate the fare meter behind the backs of commuters in an effort to make some extra cash.

I know that these scenarios are familiar episodes to those city-dwellers who do not have the privilege of owning a private motor vehicle and usually travel using private cabs and auto-rickshaws. All in all, it is depressing how easily dwellers have, readily accepted the nuisances as one of the endemic truths that is a part of their daily experiences. However, immediate measures should be taken to ensure the right and privileges of the civilians and to help implement the laws and orders set by the government to create an improved transportation environment.

To view its internet edition, click: Experiences on roads