New taxicabs on Dhaka streets

The Ministry of Communications is going to introduce 500 more taxicabs on Dhaka and Chittagong streets next month. The number of taxicabs has now come down to 3,000 in Dhaka from about 12,000 in 2007, according to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. Road permits of those still plying have already expired. The reduced number of taxicabs is a problem for commuters who often have to pay exorbitant charges for those few available.

The new cabs will be of two types. Yellow cabs will have air-conditioning facilities and blue cabs will be non-AC.  The ministry has relaxed the terms and conditions to speed up the import of cabs to ease the demand of the city dwellers.

Common people are happy for communications ministry's move but still there is confusion among them regarding the fare and use of metre in these taxicabs. The government takes so many decisions to make our life comfortable but immediately after inaugurating any service, corrupt people misuse the terms and conditions. Thus people suffer for no fault of their own. The government should fix fairs of different routes so that no driver can take extra fare. There must be strict regulations so that no taxi driver can be selective about his route in plying those.

Sk Shahjahan Ali

Boyra, Khulna