Most of the owners of CNG-run auto-rickshaws are charging drivers more rent than the government fixed rate, forcing them to collect additional fare from the passengers.

According to a directive by the government, the three-wheeler owners are supposed to charge the drivers Tk 900 per day.

Talking to around 25 drivers at different spots in the capital yesterday, this correspondent found that most of them were paying Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500 in daily rent to the owners.

Many owners even rent out their CNG-run autos in two shifts. In the first shift, a driver operates the vehicle from morning to evening, while another takes it in the second shift from evening to next morning.

"I drive the auto-rickshaw from 8:00am to 8:00pm and have to pay Tk 1,000 to the owner every day. After I leave the vehicle, the owner rents it to another driver and charges him almost the same," said Lutfor Rahman, a three-wheeler driver who was waiting for passengers in Hatirpool area.

Many owners are now earning around Tk 2,000 from a single CNG-run auto-rickshaw every day. The amount is more than double of the government-set daily amount.

"As we pay additional money to vehicle owners, we have to charge our passengers additional fare to make our profit," said Ramzan Mian, an auto-rickshaw driver, in front of the National Press Club.

The Dhaka Auto Rickshaw Sramik Union on Tuesday filed an application with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to take action against the owners for violating the government rule.

The union has also enclosed a list naming owners of 39 auto-rickshaws who are allegedly charging additional rent.

"Everybody blames the drivers in the face of any indiscipline or chaos. But the owners are equally responsible for additional fare," Hanif Khokon, general secretary of Dhaka Auto Rickshaw Sramik Union, told The Daily Star.

MH Iqbal Miraz, general secretary of Dhaka CNG-Auto Rickshaw Malik Samity, admitted that some owners are still charging high rent.

"We have issued a notice to all the owners of auto-rickshaws to follow the government rules. If they disobey, the authorities concerned will take legal action against them," he said.

BRTA Director (Admin) Moshiar Rahman said they are conducting drives against violators of rules. He warned that whoever -- be it owners or drivers -- breaks the rules will be punished.

The road transport and bridges ministry from November 1 increased passengers' fare and also the rent of CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Dhaka and Chittagong metropolises.

As per the revised fare chart, a passenger will have to pay Tk 40 for travelling the first two kilometres in place of the previous Tk 25. For additional travel, a passengers will have to pay Tk 12 for each kilometre instead of previous Tk 7.64.

Waiting charge for per minute has also increased from Tk 1.4 to Tk 2.

Besides, drivers will have to pay Tk 900 on daily basis to the owners, while the previous rent was Tk 600.

Around 13,000 CNG-run auto-rickshaws are now plying in the capital.