Bengaluru auto drivers uninstall apps but continue to charge same aggregator fares

While some auto drivers continue to use the apps discreetly, others welcome the move from the government

Bengalureans used to the convenience of booking auto rickshaw rides at the fingertip reported some disruptions and delays in hailing the rides on Wednesday but overall there was hardly any changes

DH spoke to commuters to understand the situation post the state transport authority's order banning Ola, Uber and Rapido from aggregating auto rickshaws. Most of them said that auto rickshaws were still available on the apps but many experienced unusual delay in hailing one

A passenger who travelled from Konanakunte cross said, “I use Uber daily as regular autos also charge the same as Uber. I noticed that there has been a slight drop in the fare today compared with the amount I paid for previous rides.“

Also Read | Ola, Uber, Rapido continue auto-rickshaw service despite ban in Karnataka

The amount, however, remained high when compared with fares fixed by the Transport Department (Rs 30 base fare for the first 1.8 km and Rs 15 per subsequent km).
Sanketh Hiremath summed up the commuters' saga. "With or without Ola/Uber auto, In #Bengaluru, #autorickshaws don't ply without asking for more than the actual rates," he said in a tweet and added that he couldn't get an auto even after 30 minutes of wait.

Those travelling in the IT corridors said the auto drivers have been using a new trick for months. "I am a regular traveller on HSR Layout and Bengaluru route. It's been some months since auto rickshaw drivers call me after accepting the booking. They offer to provide the service at a lesser cost and cancel the ride. This has worked out well for both of us," said Ganesh S Hegde.

Also Read | 'Politicians, aggregators hand in glove... looting us, commuters': Bengaluru auto unions demand ban on Ola, Uber, Rapido in 7 days

Sarita Karthik, a homemaker from Kanakapura Road, said regular auto rickshaws have been demanding fares on par with apps, if not more, for some time. “In my locality it is almost impossible for me to get a regular auto. So Ola and Uber autos are my only option. I booked an Uber auto. The driver picked me only after cancelling the trip and asking me to pay whatever price the service showed. I did.”

Sarita said she preferred the aggregator apps. “The regular autos demand high fares. On aggregator apps, you have features like tracking and security when we send children out. The government needs to look into all this before banning the services,” she added.

Some commuters were ready to pay more on aggregator apps to save time. Bibika Sharma, an audiologist and speech therapist from Whitefield, said she faced unusual delays and sudden surge in fares of regular auto rickshaws. “Today my appointments are getting delayed because auto rickshaw bookings on the app are failing and the regular ones are charging double the fares offered by aggregators.”

Bibika said regular autos can never replace the convenience offered by aggregators. “They may charge excess fare but it’s convenient. When I take a regular auto, they don’t use the meter and demand excess fare. If there’s traffic or if they take a different route they charge extra at the end of the trip and you have to pay because you can’t waste time arguing,” she adds.