Section 23 in The West Bengal Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
23. Conduct and duties of drivers of metered taxis and auto-rickshaws.
- In addition to the conditions prescribed in rule 22, wherever applicable, [a driver of a metered-taxi] [Substituted vide clause 2(2)(a) of the Notification No. 5305-WT/6M-21/2002 dated 12.12.2003 (w e.f. 16.12.2003) for the words 'a driver of a motor cab or an auto-rickshaw fitted with a fare-meter'.], -(i)shall not refuse to accept a passenger for hire;(ii)without fail or neglect shall proceed to the destination named by the hirer by the shortest and quickest route;(iii)as soon as he is hired, and not before, without fail or neglect, shall set the fare-meter in motion, and upon the termination of the hiring, shall immediately stop the same :Provided that in the event of [metered taxi] [Substituted vide clause 2(2)(d) of the Notification No. 5305-WT/6M-21/2002 dated 12.12.2003 (w.e.f. 16.12.2003) for the words 'motor cab'.] whilst hired being unable to proceed for any accident, mechanical derangement or tyre failure, either temporarily or otherwise, the driver shall at once stop the mechanism of the fare-meter as against the hirer. The hirer shall be liable to pay the fare up to the time of the stoppage;(iv)shall not carry any person as attendant or otherwise in the [metered taxi] [Substituted vide clause 2(2)(c)(1), ibid (w.e.f. 16.12.2003) for the words 'motor cab'.] except in rural areas where one attendant may be employed :Provided that in the case of a [metered taxi] [Substituted vide clause 2(2)(c)(ii), ibid (w.e.f. 16.12.2003) for the words 'motor cab'.] registered in [Kolkata] [Substituted vide section 5 of the West Bengal Capital City (Change of Name) Act, 2001 (West Bengal Act 18 of 2001) (w.r.e.f. 1.1.2001) for the word 'Calcutta'.] one person may be employed as an attendant between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.(v)shall not be rude to a passenger or shall not misbehave with a passenger.
