Clock ticking for three-wheeler fare meters

A little more than a month ahead of the deadline for three-wheelers to install fare meters, the National Council for Road Safety has begun checks to ensure compliance.

Three-wheeler organisations insist, in the meantime, that they do not want fare meters. They demand a formula for setting fares and want a regulator to be created.

The gazetted regulations on three-wheelers go into effect on January 1.

National Road Safety Council Chairman Sisira Kodagoda told the Sunday Times that six companies had agreed to provide meters that comply with SLS standards. He said six suppliers could not fulfil the demand.

According to Mr. Kodagoda, fare meters are available for less than Rs 10,000 and payment by installment is available .

The gazette notice on three-wheeler safety regulations was approved by Parliament on October 20, after the necessary amendments were made regarding the date of implementation and translation errors.

According to the National Council for Road Safety, regulations include the speed limit of 40 k i l o m e t re s per hour, limit of three passengers ( if children are traveling, two adults can accompany), and mandatory speedometer and fare meter.

Also, there must be a gap of 21.5 centimetres between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat.

Initially, the safety regulations were gazetted on January 9, this year. But due to objections by three- wheeler associations, the gazette had to be revised.

Mr. Kodagoda added that discussions were underway on alternative measures if three-wheelers fail to comply with regulations from January 1.

All Island Three Wheeler Drivers’ and Owners’ Association Chairman Sudil Jayaruk opposes fare meters.

“There is no relief provided to the driver, or the passenger. There are no standards for the fare meter, and further there is no price formula on fares,'' he told the Sunday Times.

Mr Jayaruk suggested that standard fares be adopted in every province.

He emphasised that without a regulator, the fare meters would not gain acceptance.

A regulator should function under the Ministry of Transport, he said.

“We suspect a mafia behind the fare meters. We won’t allow the implementation on January 1, until the fare meters comply with standards,'' he said.

There is no relief provided to the driver, or the passenger. There are no standards for the fare meter, and further there is no price formula on fares."