Three-wheeler drivers making merry

from Our Reader

(June 24, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Petrol went up from Rs127 per litre to Rs 157 per litre a few weeks ago - a 23.6% increase.

Normally a three-wheeler runs 25 km (+or-2kms) on a litre of petrol. Therefore, before the price increase, the cost of running one km was Rs 5/08. After the increase the cost is Rs 5/28 for a km.

From Piliyandala town hiring cost of a T-W to run a distance of 4km was Rs 80 - 100 before the increase. Now the charge is Rs 150/- for the same distance - a 50% increase. The petrol price increase was only 23.6%

This is an injustice by the poor man who uses the TW as their mode of urgent transport.

Even the earlier fare was unfair when compared with the rate per km. Fuel cost to run 4 kms was Rs 21/- but they charged Rs 80-100 for this trip. Now it is grossly unfair as it has shot up to Rs 150/-

Is there a way to control TWs running at fancy fares? High time the authorities devised ways and means of keeping three-wheeler fares within the affordable rates.
- Sri Lanka Guardian