KATHMANDU, JANUARY 19
Traffic police have taken action against 193 cabbies over a period of one week in Kathmandu valley for fleecing passengers or violating rules.
According to the figures of Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, taxi drivers booked by on-duty cops were caught in the act of bargaining over fare, refusing to provide service based on the fare meter, and operating cabs with tampered meter.
MTPD said traffic cops continued action against unscrupulous cabbies as they showed no sign of adhering to the rules. Traffic personnel - both in uniform and civil dress - have been deployed in busy areas, including hospitals and bus parks to nab the rule violators.
They are also keeping a tab on taxis in the daytime and at night when cabbies try to fleece passengers taking advantage of emergencies and non-availability of public vehicles.
According to MTPD, on an average, 25 cabbies are booked on a daily basis for fleecing commuters. MTPD has appealed to passengers to call the traffic control room (103) or send SMS to 9851295100 or file a complaint through MTPD's Facebook page to initiate action against fraudulent taxi drivers.
Despite police crackdown, cabbies continue to indulge in unfair trade practices and fleece passengers. The crackdown was aimed at deterring cabbies from overcharging and cheating commuters.
Cabbies who refuse to serve passengers by turning on the fare-meter are referred to the Transport Management Office for action and fined Rs 2,000.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 20, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
