Mandatory meter rule comes into force from next week in WP

There will be strict implementation of mandatory meter regulation in the Western Province starting January 15, then countrywide over the next few months.

All taxis are legally required to have a functioning meter installed by July 15. Southern Province taxis must have their meters installed by February 15.

“This has been the rule for a long time even though it wasn’t enforced,” said Lalith Dharmasekara, ThreeWheeler Drivers’ Union Chairman. The taximeter was introduced here in 2005, nearly a decade before taxi- hailing apps. The relevant legislation is dated 2003. Repeated attempts to enforce it were resisted by tuk- tuk drivers, first, then by taxi-hailing app companies as they profit from inconsistencies in pricing, he claimed.

The Ministry of Transport has no authority to regulate trishaws by law, Mr Dharmasekara said. It was done by Provincial Councils. “The Southern Provincial Council has been the most successful so far because it took consisted regulatory steps,” he pointed out. A key sticking point is an agreement on a maximum price per kilometre.

In 2013, a technical review committee and fare review committee were set up to recommend guidelines and rules. But these were disbanded with the Government change in 2015. The gazette now being implemented was approved in 2017 and stipulates that the ride side of the tuk- tuk must have a protective covering; that the “TAXI” board is visibly displayed; and that only three passengers may ride at a time.

“The industry needs to be regulated to ensure that even riders get a good service,” Mr Dharmasekara stressed. “As it stands, hailing a tuk- tuk from the road is a cumbersome, wild card activity since drivers even refuse to drive you to locations they deem ‘inconvenient’ to them.”

A committee was appointed on December 16, 2021, and convened on December 28 to discuss budget proposals relating to the three- wheeler industry. “This includes re- registering taxi tuk-tuks and drivers, and possibly a place to take complaints and to regulate the industry,” he noted.

There have been no discussions between the committee and stakeholders yet but the association is set to start meetings to push strict enforcement of the meter rule, the regulation and registration of Western Province drivers, and the three-wheeler regulatory authority.

It should be made law for tuk- tuks to display their availability for hire through the green/ red signboard so riders knew which ones to flag down. “Drivers should also be obligated to take a rider wherever they wish because legally refusing the service just because the location is not pleasing to them should be prohibited,” Mr Dharmasekara said. An agreed maximum price would also allow drivers to engage in healthy competition even with taxi-hailing apps.

“Previously resistant unions are for regulation now because Uber and Pickme have taken a hit on business,” noted State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama. Pricing regulation does not, however, fall within the scope of the Transport Ministry.

When asked how the meters will be checked for consistent pricing, Mr Amunugama said the Department of Measurement Units, Standards & Services will carry out quality checks and ensure they were accurately calibrated.