Three-wheeler drivers to face legal action for ignoring metered rates

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has directed that legal action be taken against auto-rickshaw drivers who charge fares exceeding the government-set metered rates.

The directive was issued in a letter signed by BRTA Director (Engineering) Shitangshu Shekhor Biswas today.

The letter was addressed to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner.

The letter said, "Legal action should be taken against gas-or petrol-run four-stroke three-wheeler auto-rickshaw drivers who charge fares beyond the government-prescribed meter rates."

Additionally, the letter references Section 35(3) of the Road Transport Act, 2018, which mandates that the owner or driver of a contract carriage must transport passengers to any destination within the permitted route area and cannot demand or collect fares beyond the metered rate.

Any violation of this provision is punishable under Section 81 of the Act, with a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 50,000, or both. Moreover, in the case of a driver, one demerit point will be deducted.

In light of this, the BRTA has urged authorities to take legal action against auto-rickshaw drivers found guilty of overcharging passengers.