Autos in residential areas

It is quite common to see several autos parked in certain residential areas in the City. Koramangala, HSR Layout; 6th Main, Indiranagar; CV Raman Nagar are some of the places where autos are parked throughout the evening and sometimes, during the day.

Auto drivers say that they stick to these areas as they tend to get regular customers here. Javed, an autodriver who parks his auto on 6th Main, Indiranagar, says that he has been parking in the area for a year now and getting passengers has never been a problem.

 “I don’t travel to areas which are very far off and have the liberty to park my vehicle here whenever I want to take a quick nap or some time off work. It is better than parking on the main roads as there is the fear of cops fining us,” he adds.

Some residents and commuters, however, point out that the auto drivers, who park in these residential areas, are known for throwing tantrums and demanding exorbitant rates.

“Most of these auto drivers don’t adhere to the fares displayed on the meter and
demand high rates. Many commuters like me have stopped taking autos from these areas and go to the main road instead. The autos parked in the residential colonies are of no use to residents in and around, unless there is an emergency,” says Magesh, a professional.

However, in some areas, these autos do serve the purpose owing to the poor connectivity of buses.

The space opposite NIFT College in HSR Layout has almost become a permanent auto shelter thanks to auto drivers parking their vehicles right outside the college. The residents find it very helpful and say that they need not worry about getting autos in the night or early in the morning.

“There are about 10 auto drivers who are regularly stationed outside the college They charge quite reasonably though they don’t want to travel to far-off areas. The area is not very well connected with buses, therefore autos are like our lifeline. We
know where to go if we need an auto late in the night or even during office hours.

I feel it works out well for the auto drivers also as they are sure to get a passenger if they are here. Also, students travel by these autos quite frequently and the auto drivers make a handsome sum at the end of the day,” says Sukumar, who is a resident of the area.

Auto drivers also point out that they are known in these areas, hence people living
in the neighbourhood tend to become their regular customers.