Trishaw drivers rooking us on fares

They are at it again. With the present uncertainty about fuel prices and availability, some trishaw drivers are making the most of the situation to get more money from passengers.

It is done mainly by those who do not have meters near the top of their windscreens, which can be observed by the passengers in the rear seat but have the meters on their phones and which they keep on their laps.

At the start of the journey they start the meter and when the passenger says where he or she needs to disembark, they switch off the meter which is on the laps. Then when the passenger queries what the fare is, the reply is shocking because it is much higher than it should be.What ensues has two options. One is to enter into an argument which can be aggressive and embarrassing and the other is to accede to the demand and walk away, gritting one’s teeth.

I am aware that the Government has enough on its hands at this time without having to also attend to these relatively inconsequential matters, but it’s the hard-earned money of the common man, woman and child that is being robbed.

I do hope that someone in the relative ministry can give some thought to this problem which will grow as fuel scarcities grow, and ensure that an effective systematic method is quickly introduced to ensure that all trishaws have meters with the same applicable rates and that there are ways in which the public can protect themselves from such crooks, most of whom are even attired so disgracefully and look so rough that entering into an argument is out of the question. Over to you, Minister of Transport.

Mahendra Fernando