Regulatory authority for taxis, a must

Three-wheeler taxis have become increasingly popular among people of all walks of life with the introduction of electronic fare meters. More people now opt to travel in these three-wheelers as they prefer the electronic fare meters. But, regrettably, most of these electronic metered three-wheelers exploit passengers.

Three-wheeler taxis became extremely popular among those in urban and rural areas due to their relatively cheaper costs, since their entry to the local market following the open market economy in 1977.

Today, petrol and diesel-operated three-wheelers throng the highways and byways. The low fuel consumption and affordable maintenance costs have created a big demand for Indian three-wheelers. Similar brands, mainly diesel-operated from China, also penetrated the local market. Though they are purchased randomly for personal use such as office and family needs, these three-wheelers are mostly operated as taxis - a popular and cost effective mode of public transport not only in Sri Lanka, but also in the entire subcontinent.

In countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the three-wheeler has become a multi-purpose vehicle and also a way of life not only in the heart of their capital cities, but also in the far-flung corners of these countries. Sri Lanka is no exception.

In days gone by, Morris Minor cars were operated as taxis, though many could not afford the luxury in their day-to-day affairs. Three-wheelers replaced the age-old Morris Minor cars in next to no time due to the low operational costs of the light vehicle, popularly known as trishaws or tuk-tuks.

After three decades since their entry on Sri Lankan roads, the number of three-wheelers has grown significantly. Three-wheelers lined up at junctions anticipating hires are a common sight today.

Three-wheelers are a God-send to people across the length and breadth of the country, especially for those who don't have their own mode of transport and for those living in remote villages where public transport is scarce or limited.

Hence, the three-wheeler has now become part and parcel of everyday life, especially for the less affluent people both in urban and remote areas. Apart from rushing a critical patient to a nearby hospital or transporting crops to markets, three-wheelers have proved to be multi-purpose vehicles that are close to the hearts of the masses.

On the other hand, three-wheelers have also been widely used by underworld gangs for robberies, murders, prostitution and other undesirable acts. The increase in crime involving three-wheelers had prompted the police to get three-wheeler owners to register their vehicles with the closest police station in the areas where they operate. This resulted in most vehicles displaying their police area and code number, apart from the registration numbers assigned by the Department of Motor Traffic.

Three-wheeler drivers have earned notoriety for reckless driving and blatant violation of traffic rules and the Highway Code. They have turned out to be a bugbear for law-abiding drivers and pose a serious threat to the lives of other road users. Nevertheless, three-wheelers are the most sought after for people's day-to-day lives.

The introduction of taxi meters has made three-wheelers even more popular, not only among the middle class, but also the poor. Although most trishaw drivers and operators showed initial resistance to taxi meters, the 'metered taxis' are now in greater demand.

Prior to the introduction of taxi meters, unscrupulous drivers at 'three-wheeler stands' in key junctions exploited the unsuspecting public by quoting exorbitant fares, mainly from non-frequent travellers. These errant taxi drivers targeted only a few hires, quoting fares in keeping with the external appearance of customers.

Being fully aware how much an intended journey would cost and the 'unique skills' of three-wheeler drivers to take customers to their destinations in double quick time, avoiding heavy traffic, more people now depend on this popular mode of transport. The introduction of meters for three-wheelers also attracted new customers who had previously used public transport for their short distance travel.

However, only a handful of people who patronise three-wheelers regularly know that the rates of metered taxis vary from one vehicle to another. Though the meters in three-wheelers look similar and the cost of the first kilometre is Rs. 50 at present, invariably, they charge different rates from the second kilometre.

Depending on the choice of three-wheeler owners at the time of installing meters, the charge from the second kilometre on metered taxis varies from Rs. 30 to Rs. 45. Most passengers are unaware of the tariffs of the meters when they board these three-wheelers.

Hence most of them repose faith in the electronic fare meter and do not bother to question as to how much they charge from the second kilometre onwards.

Only a handful of importers and their agents install meters in three-wheelers. At the time the meter is installed, the owner or the driver of the vehicle has the option of deciding on the rate that he intends to charge. The taxi meter is programmed accordingly. Whether it could be tampered with is anybody's guess. A holding charge, in heavy traffic or parking between journeys, is also compounded to the final fare.

Hence, the fare for the same distance differs significantly and could be almost double for short distance travel. According to regular travellers, some three-wheeler drivers impose an additional fare at night. Though levying an additional charge at night is understandable, passengers are virtually in the dark on what basis it is calculated.

Hence, it's now time the authorities regularise the operations of three-wheeler taxis. In the event they are permitted to apply different fare structures from the second kilometre, an easy method of identification should be introduced, preferably by a colour code for the vehicle. This would enable passengers to identify the tariff structures of different three-wheelers at a distance so that they could have the three-wheeler of their choice.

Some drivers who have adroitly mastered the electronic meter have now fixed an additional cable to a light, apart from the normal speedometer cable type link to measure the distance in kilometres.

These 'expert' drivers switch on the light connected to the cable from the taxi meter from time to time during a journey, to inflate the fare.

Such tampering is done without the knowledge of the passengers, who eventually fork out a higher fare compared to unmetered taxis. This is merely one of the many gimmicks adopted by three-wheeler drivers to exploit passengers.

In the absence of a governing body or a controlling authority to regulate three-wheeler taxi operations, the drivers exploit passengers to their hearts' content. An institution or a regulatory body, where passengers could lodge complaints against three-wheeler drivers who literally take people for a ride, is an urgent need.

The same goes for four-wheel taxis, mainly small hatchback taxi cars which also have similar meters, but operate on a different fare structure. Hence, exploiting passengers who use these taxis should be stopped forthwith. The Government should take steps immediately to set up a regulatory body for three-wheel and four-wheel taxi operators. The fare structures should be displayed clearly on taxis and any subsequent increase should be approved by the regulatory body. Different fare structures could be permitted depending on the area in which they operate - hilly or flat in keeping with the fuel consumption.

A mechanism similar for private passenger transport authority should be installed to regularise not only three-wheelers, but also taxi cabs. The accuracy of meters installed in these taxies should be randomly tested, leaving no room for malpractices whatsoever.

Taxi drivers should be called upon to wear uniforms for easy identification, like private bus drivers and conductors.

People who patronise three-wheelers and taxi cabs do not have a regulatory body to lodge complaints. They either bandy words with taxi drivers or seek police assistance as a last resort. The only safeguard in the interests of three-wheeler passengers and those who patronise other taxi services is the setting up of a regulatory authority.