JOIN USTravelling in the City has always been a Herculean task. Many Bangaloreans depend on autorickshaws to get from one place to another, but this mode of transportation comes with its own share of difficulties.
To a huge extent, this is because many autorickshaw drivers do not have electronic meters installed in their vehicles.
Since the older ones are easier to tamper with, there is often a discrepancy between the actual fare and what the meter shows.
Metrolife speaks to some Bangaloreans to know their experiences and problems in this regard.
Sairam, an IT professional, says, “Everyday, I take an auto from Marathahalli to Cantonment. With the digital meter, it costs somewhere around Rs 200 — whereas with the old meters, the charge is between Rs 250 and 280.”
“I always argue with the auto drivers before handing over the money. Of late, since I know the distance, I fix the rate as Rs 200 with the driver in advance. But because of this, getting an auto takes a while,” he adds.
Others, though, feel that the old meters don’t always show a very different fare.
Rinku, an IT professional, says, “I am a resident of Banashankari and I often travel by autos. However, I do not find much difference between both the meters. The odd thing is overcharging commuters according to the area.”
“In Banashankari, for instance, the drivers agree to charge by the meter. In areas like Indiranagar, though, they fix a rate themselves and don’t go according to the meter at all. This practice should be stopped,” she adds.
Foreigners and outsiders have a tough time dealing with the City’s auto drivers.
Adam, an expat from Scotland, says, “Most autorickshaw drivers fix a rate and do not go by the meter. As an outsider, I am sure that I am charged 40 per cent more than the locals.”
“Another complaint I have with the auto drivers is the way they almost attack us when we leave a shopping mall, asking us to take their autos. There should be a system to deal with this nuisance,” he adds.
Devaraj, an auto driver, says, “There is a difference between the digital and old auto meters. The old auto meters show a fare which is about 30 per cent more. If the fare is Rs 100 in the digital metre, it will be Rs 130 in the old auto meter.”
“Having digital meters is more convenient because it is transparent — a customer can see the distance that is covered, so they do not question it,” he adds.