Limiting rickshaws to localities
December 04, 2007 00:00:00
We have some successful experimentations with confining the rickshaw movements to specific areas in the capital city. The Mohakhali DOHS has an effective area-based system for the rickshaws. The rickshaw pullers, in the area, are given identity cards and allowed to operate within it on a fixed fare for a certain distance. It allows the pullers to earn enough for a living avoiding the hassle of bargaining for fares with the passengers. The pullers wait, in a line, near the main road to get the passengers, which helps lessen the chances of traffic congestion in the locality. The number of rickshaws has been fixed as per the needs of the area.
Why this system, if a success in an area, can't be introduced to other localities of the city. Most of area-based city mahallas have narrow lanes and by-lanes, linked to the main roads. A fixed number of rickshaws can be availed by the residents to go up to the main roads. They can change the rickshaws to cross the main roads. Though changing may seem a hassle for many but by doing so they can enjoy traffic jamfree roads. We often do this while availing the bus service to go to our destinations.
The ward commissioners' offices can identify the need of an area and provide the identity cards to the pullers. Some of the rickshaws can be allowed, where necessary, to ply on some of the main roads with the same ID cards for the pullers. The system can be introduced until the government fully withdraws this slow-moving vehicle from the capital city, providing alternative jobs to the pullers.
Siddiqur Rahman
Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka