Karachi to Allow Only Meter-Equipped Rickshaws on City Roads
KARACHI: The Karachi Traffic Police has decided to allow only meter-equipped rickshaws to operate on the city’s roads, with a ban to be imposed on rickshaws without fare meters.
Speaking to the media at the Karachi Press Club, DIG Traffic Karachi Pir Muhammad Shah said that all types of rickshaws operating without meters would eventually be prohibited, and only those fitted with approved fare meters would be permitted to ply on city roads.
He announced that the traffic police would soon declare the official date for the installation of meters in rickshaws. After the implementation, authorities will introduce proper traffic management for rickshaws, including designated parking areas and dedicated lanes.
According to the DIG, rickshaw drivers will be required to pick up passengers only from designated lanes, while commuters will pay fares strictly according to the meter. The move is expected to eliminate disputes between passengers and drivers over fares.
Pir Muhammad Shah noted that meter-operated rickshaws were previously a common practice in Karachi, adding that the initiative is not new but requires time for implementation after years of inactivity. He said the official rollout date is expected to be announced either this month or next month, after which rickshaw owners will be given two months to install fare meters.
The DIG also revealed that authorities are taking steps to remove Qingqi rickshaws from the city’s main roads as part of broader efforts to improve traffic flow.
He further announced that the Karachi Traffic Management Company is being established to enhance traffic management and improve the overall transportation system in the metropolitan city.
