The New Nation - Internet Edition

Taxi cab/CNG scooter drivers continue to undermine, dishonour and defy government orders and instruction unabated.

Whenever approached by any member of the public/passenger for going on hire from one place to another, any destrination near, middle or long distance many unscrupulous taxi/scooter drivers come out with peculiar, amazing and objectionable statement, pretense, pretext, arguments and lies and they become aggressive and flatly refuse the member of the public/passenger to go on hire and on meter fare.

This results in wastage of time, energy and money and the sufferings of the member of the public/passenger know no bounds.

Bad habits die hard. How can we take care of, handle, rectify and tame the crude and unscrupulous taxi/scooter drivers ?

We suggest the following measures :-

1. We need a close and friendly relation, coordination, help and cooperation among the members of public/passengers, traffic police sergents and police constables patrolling the roads and streets.

2. Before approaching any taxi/scooter driver for hire of the vehicle the concerned member of the public/passenger may note down the vehicle number first If the traxi/scooter driver behaves well it is good. If not, the passenger may make a verbal complaint to his/her nearest available traffic police sergent or police constable.

3. The traffic police sergent or the police constable may give on the spot order to the taxi/ scooter driver to go with the passenger, if not, the traffic sergent/police constable may seize the driving licence of the taxi/scooter driver.

4. If necessary the traffic police sergent or the police constable may write down the name and address of the driver, or the vehicle number and refer the complaint/mater to the Headquarters D.M.P. for disciplinary action. A small chit/receipt of the complaint/mater may be handed over to the concerned passenger.

5. For security, safety and various other reasons the taxi/scooter drivers should always display the vehicle number and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle in a metal plate inside the vehicle permanently fixed in front of the seat of the passengers.

6. Would the I.G.P, D.M. P., traffic sergents and police constables and the members of the public/passengers kindly consider and implement the above suggestions in the interest of public service ?

O. H. Kabir

Dhaka