Few good auto drivers among bad ones

When traveling to the railway station from Mahalaxmipuram bus stop to Okhlipuram by auto, I realized the meter was running rather unusually fast.

The exact distance between the Mahalaxmipurambus stop and Okhlipuram is 5kms. However, this one ended up showing 7kms. I picked up a conversation with the driver quite frankly by telling him that there's something wrong with his digital meter. I travel every weekend and I know the exact distance and fare.

I was expecting him to pick up a fight like typical auto drivers in Bangalore do. However, I was surprised. He just turned and said 'Ok sir, you pay only what is the right amount'. I paid him the correct 1-1/2 charge fare which I generally pay and left.

But yes, I was impressed that there are few folks who are willing to be truthful. Let there be more of this kind.

Greedy auto drivers in Bangalore

Most autorickshaw drivers in Bangalore appear to be very greedy in earning their livelihood. They take customers pocket for a ride. My sincere apologies to those few good samaritans who are a rare breed.

I started this blog to bring about more awareness among the public and share thoughts with other people who might have faced similar situations. We citizens need to do something about this so that this menace is controlled.

The reason I started off with this is yesterday night's incident which really drove me crazy. I honestly didn't want this to happen at 11.30pm and especially when I'm about to catch a train.

I took an autorickshaw from the Srinivasa temple bus stop in Mahalakshmipuram, Bangalore to Okhlipuram (nearest point to the old entrance to the Bangalore City railway station). There was already a passenger in the auto who alighted at a nearby bus stop. He paid Rs.30 when the meter clocked Rs.20 (1-1/2 times the actual charge, which is fair at that time of the night and an agreed rule). The auto then carried on to my destination. When he stopped at my usual get-off spot, the meter was already showing 6.2 kms whereas it's exactly 5kms from my usual starting point to this point and the typical charge would be Rs.44 on the meter.

I would usually pay Rs.66 (1-1/2 times the actual charge). However, the auto driver started demanding Rs.86. I refused to pay. The usual sharing pattern in bangalore is that if 2 different persons going to different destinations on the same route share an auto, both pay the actual meter fare. This way the passenger and the driver are both benefited.

In my case, the charge was Rs.56 and this guy was demanding Rs.86 for no reason. I paid him Rs.66 which is the usual 1-1/2 times charge even though the auto was shared with a co-passenger. The driver started abusing and saying that by not paying Rs.86, I was going on a free ride. How the hell is that a free ride. Even after paying the right money, the driver was bad mouthing at me. He was expecting to pocket a total of Rs.110 bucks for a 5km ride from 2 passengers.

Is there no limit to their greediness?

Other incidents I've faced:

1. Small change upto Rs.5 never returned on the pretext that they don't have small change. I always make sure I carry enough change to pay them the exact fare
2. Refusal to commute to certain areas
3. I've seen some autos in a auto stand near my home staying their all day refusing to take passengers. I wonder where do they get to earn money from
4. Autos with manipulated meters - do not hesitate to fight if you know the exact distance. I do that always
5. Drivers demanding a random amount even though the distance is shorter.

Unfortunately there's no one who can help the public with this menace.