Bengaluru Auto and Car drivers

r2i4c · Post by **r2i4c** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:42 pm

I R2Ied 3.5 weeks back, and I like some things about Bangalore, but what is with the people who drive the autos and taxis in this city? They don't seem to have an honest bone in them. Almost invariably they will ask for ridiculous fares to take you anywhere, and if you refuse one of these two will happen -

1) They will let you go

2) They will nod giving you an impression that they agree with your quoted number, and you will sit. Finally, when you are in the auto/taxi, they will start their bickering - that you must give them more! I am so fed up with this cheap tactic of these people.

Last night I almost had an altercation with one such auto driver, and he was very angry. I don't know, but I can't resist driving these people crazy with my no-nonsense attitude. They think that I should not have a problem parting with 10 Rs. or 100 Rs. on demand since I apparently am a woman (that itself seems to be the reason enough, IMO) living in a middle-class community. I beg to differ with them.

I hate this part of living in Bangalore (the part where I am having to deal with such people), and can't wait for a day when I will be independent of using their services again!

bobo2000 · Post by **bobo2000** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 3:16 am

I think if it was a man would be beaten by one of these goons. They are probably being nicer because you are a woman.

Its not only in bangalore. I have had similar experiences in pune. Either the meter is rigged or they have a fake card or they are just plain threatening.

It seems that if you don't know the local language then you are fair game

DoctorJ · Post by **DoctorJ** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:21 pm

r2i4c;66814What is with the people who drive the autos and taxis in this city? They don't seem to have an honest bone in them. Almost invariably they will ask for ridiculous fares to take you anywhere[/quote]
I read you...Bangalore seems to have changed radically over the past 10-15 years. Everybody seems to be in a race to make a fast buck - more so with the service providers. They seem to have their ways with long time residents...and seem to take it to a totally different limit when they come across easy prey of people who are ill at ease with the local lingo.
[quote]Last night I almost had an altercation with one such auto driver, and he was very angry. I don't know, but I can't resist driving these people crazy with my no-nonsense attitude. [/quote]
Good. I'm sure you'll do well with your attitude. Invariably, most of the idiots have learnt not to mess around too much with people who stand their ground. Having said that, I'd suggest that you be fair with them...unless I'm terribly mistaken, the rate equates to Rs.6 per KM with an initial slab of Rs12 for anything less than or equal to 2KMs.
[quote]I hate this part of living in Bangalore (the part where I am having to deal with such people)[/quote]
Nobody can blame you for your feeling...you are well within your right. But then, I'd suggest that you cheer-up and enjoy the better things.
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One of those evil that we cannot live appreciating it or cannot live without cursing it. -DJ :cool:

bobo2000 · Post by **bobo2000** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:36 pm

To be fair, You can't entirely blame the auto guy. I was speaking to one when I visited India last and they do have a tough life.

Remember they pay the same for food, schooling and other things like a person who works in IT but make a lot less instead.

There is a general frustration in that part of the social strata in regards to opportunities. They feel that they have been left behind.

DoctorJ · Post by **DoctorJ** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:50 pm

bobo2000;67027To be fair, You can't entirely blame the auto guy. I was speaking to one when I visited India last and they do have a tough life.

Remember they pay the same for food, schooling and other things like a person who works in IT but make a lot less instead.

There is a general frustration in that part of the social strata in regards to opportunities. They feel that they have been left behind.[/quote]
But then, the reason is not good enough to resort to unfair trade practice or compromise on one's self respect/dignity to be branded unprofessional...isn't it??? :rolleyes:
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One should learn not to compare oneself with people on the higher social strata to justify their ways. -DJ :cool:

sftrade · Post by **sftrade** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 8:51 pm

once when i asked one auto-driver why he wants more then meter, he said "saar aap to dollar mein kamata hain naaa" Its a sense of entitlement auto-drivers feel when they see an IT guy :)

DoctorJ · Post by **DoctorJ** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:04 pm

sftrade;67030once when i asked one auto-driver why he wants more then meter, he said "saar aap to dollar mein kamata hain naaa" Its a sense of entitlement auto-drivers feel when they see an IT guy :)[/quote]
I'd be interested to know if he'd have given a free ride to somebody "Below Poverty Line". :rolleyes:
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And, how is it different from a similar sense of entitlement a street-side begger might have??? -DJ :cool:

itsucksaintit · Post by **itsucksaintit** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:31 pm

How many of us bargain at these Malls and expensive places. In fact, many feel embarrassed and show they can dole out without thinking. As soon as they come out, bargain with rickshaws, vegetable vendors and all other poor folks.
The worst is when I saw the owner of an expensive store bargain while buying apples over 2 rupees. That was disgusting. I used to there regurarly out there for many many years.
I know how much it costly typically in an auto and they pay a bit more if the guy behaved ok and does not seem to expect. I am nasty with nasty people though.

direstraits88 · Post by **direstraits88** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:01 am

MeraNaseebR2I;67293Speaking of Auto guys

- An Auto guy in Mumbai is 100 times more sincere and loyal than their counterparts in Bengaluru and Delhi

- Auto guys in Mumbai will give you back the exact change. Never expect this from a Auto guy in Bengaluru and Delhi.

- Delhi Auto guys never use a meter, even if they do - can't trust them. For all you know it is altered. Delhi auto guys will also have two rate charts. Wear Western clothes and get on an auto - you will pay different for travelling the same distance on the same route vs. if you wear Indian clothes and chew a paan.

- Whatever whole amount you give a Bengaluru auto guy - the response will be "change illa"

If you are a woman - ask the auto guy to level his rear-view mirror. 99% of the time they are watching you. This also happens to us men and also families travelling in an auto. These guys watch your every movement and see what tind of attire you wear, the jewellery you have on you, the money you take out from your wallet etc. - In short NO PRIVACY.

The solution for poverty is
- throw out the autos, get them to drive small taxi cab
- teach these guys courtesy, respect and english
- increase the fares

In essense regularize and privatize. Thats the only way they can be accountable.[/quote]

Let me play the devils advocate here.

Would you accept the government to decide your wages... or a ceiling on your earnings..

What you get paid is between you and your manager.. (salary is not even the same for two guys in the same group.. doing the same job)

I'm asssuming that most people in this forum would be for "free market"... Why not let the auto driver and the passenger decide the fare.

The govt don't decide my salary.. the price of grocery... the price i pay @ restaurants.. Not even the price i pay for my airline tickets..

So Why should the govt put a ceiling or decide the auto fare..

You can't have it both ways... :D

Auto fares have not changed much since the 1990s in bangalore..

When you are paying 500-1000 rupees for a first day shahrukh khan movie ticket, it's market forces working there....

So on a rainy day,one shouldn't complain about paying 200 rupees for a 5 km ride.

We do have the option of taking the BTS bus.. Don't we? :emwink:

In current traffic condition in bangalore where it will take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to travel a kilometer, a fare of 6 rupees per km don't make any sense.. If an auto guy drives for 8 hours on the road (without any waiting..), he will be lucky to drive 80-100 kms. which can get him 500-600 rupees. Daily rental for the auto + Gas + meals eat up 300-400 rupees. This would leave the driver 100-200 rupees if he gets to drive 8 hours non -stop.

To make a honest living in bangalore require an income of 400-500 rupees per day. (He's human too and needs a break from work atleast once a week..)

So the auto driver need to generate 800-1000 rupees a day to take home some money.. (Add to it the cost of repairs/accidents/mamool to cops)

Realistically, the meter should be time based and not distance based. Make it 2 rupees per minute and you will have less complaints..

DosaiLvr · Post by **DosaiLvr** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:32 am

The solution for poverty is
- throw out the autos, get them to drive small taxi cab

cabs are more expensive - for everyone service provider, as well the consumer.

- teach these guys courtesy, respect and english

I wouldn't dare. Most of these guys are Karnataka Rakshana Vedike supporters.

They are pro Kannada and probably anti-courtesy as well. :-P

- increase the fares

The gov. will not be able to justify it to the auto-hating public.

The auto drivers may not be rich, but they certainly are not living in poverty

In essense regularize and privatize. Thats the only way they can be accountable.

The auto rickshaws are already regularized and private. What else can the govt. do?