CNG-autos feel pinch as ride sharing services get popular

Mobile app-based ride sharing services are getting popular in Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan cities as many are turning their back on compressed natural gas-run auto-rickshaws. 
The CNG-auto drivers, who often appear reluctant when approached by anyone for a ride, are now raising alarm seeking closure of the ride sharing services, which are yet to get government approval. 
The owners have already sent a letter to road transport and bridges ministry in this regard while the drivers have announced that they also will
launch mobile app-based CNG auto-rickshaw service in the two major cities. 
Just within a year of their launch, ride sharing services like Uber, Pathao and SAM providing car and bike services have attracted a growing number of commuters with better service and comparatively lower fares. 
Commuters have expressed their satisfaction with the ride sharing services which they say are comfortable, cheaper and faster while anyone can avail these services anytime, even at midnight on their doorstep.
On the contrary, they have expressed their frustrations over the CNG-auto service which operates flouting the government-fixed fare rates while they are not comfortable.
‘I mainly use Uber as private car drivers are well-behaved with the passengers and at least they follow a system for charging fares,’ said Sabera Hossain, a Gulshan resident. 
She said that she regularly visited her sister’s house at Dhanmondi using Uber while it was quite impossible for her to get a CNG-auto with her two children.
A private university student, Shakil Ahmed, said that ride sharing services were very helpful as these were available round the clock. 
He said that although in some cases the service was more expensive than CNG autos, the comfort and easy availability made it lucrative. 
Mahmudul Hasan, a private service holder, said the ride sharing service via motorcycle was very much convenient for him — it was time-saving and cheaper. 
Abu Sayed, a Pathao user in Chittagong, said that CNG drivers were supposed to charge the passengers as per the meter, but they hardly pay any heed to the regulation.
He said that Pathao was a great means to avoid traffic congestion in the port city.
On Sunday at a press conference in Chittagong, Dhaka and Chittagong Districts CNG-Run Auto-Rickshaw Workers’ Unity Council leaders threatened to go for a strike if the government would not stop ‘illegal’ ride sharing services like Uber and Pathao.
The council also announced that they would launch a mobile app-based CNG auto service soon.
A company, Hello CNG Ride Sharing, is already working to prepare the app, they added. 
Dhaka Metropolitan CNG Auto-Rickshaw Owners’ Association president Barkat Ullah Bhulu told New Age that the number of passengers using CNG autos decreased especially for motorcycle service. 
‘We are getting less single passenger for autos as motorcycles can reach any destinations easily bypassing congestion,’ he said. 
He said that few months ago they had requested RTB ministry to stop these illegal service but they were yet to get any reply. 
The commuters strongly condemned the CNG auto drivers’ demand for closing ride sharing service while in social media they were even campaigning for closing CNG auto service for good. 
CNG auto’s fares, in Dhaka and Chittagong, are in complete disarray since these were introduced in 2002.
The government increased fare of CNG autos several times while it increased the fare lastly on September 10, 2015 to charge Tk 40 for the first two kilometres, Tk 12 for each kilometre afterwards, Tk 2 per minute as waiting charge and with Tk 900 daily deposit.
CNG drivers have alleged that the owners compelled them to charge extra by taking even double their daily deposit — an allegation the owners brushed aside. 
On November 22 in 2016, Uber Technologies Inc launched their ride sharing service in Dhaka for the first time in Bangladesh. 
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority declared their service illegal on November 26 as the company did not take any prior permission from the regulatory body.
Besides, companies like SAM, Pathao, Oi Khali, Amar Bike, Chalo and Amar Ride are offering motorcycle services to the commuters in Dhaka.
Pathao launched its service in Chittagong on October 10.
BRTA has prepared a ride sharing service guideline to allow these services. 
BRTA director (road safety) Sk Md Mahbub-E-Rabbani said the guideline was at its final stage for approval. 
He said that if the CNG auto owners started mobile app-based service, that would be entirely up to them and it too would be illegal. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net