bangalorebeats

Tips for Catching a Auto Late Night in Bangalore

Reaching anywhere in Bangalore late night is little difficult in itself, if you do not have your own vehicle. Auto Drivers wait at the bus stand, railway station or the airport to prey on their victims. I said victims as most late night auto drivers do not see passengers as passengers rather a prey to make big money. However, the situation I encountered yesterday night was a unique one. After landing at Bangalore Majestic bus stand from Mysore around 1.30 am in the night. I walked straight to the Pre - paid auto counter in hope of getting a correct fare. But the counter was closed. One of the auto drivers present there offered double meter. At that time of the night double meter is norm anyway and I agreed. But after boarding the auto I discovered , he is still running Rs 12 minimum fare meter. He did not upgraded it or he kept it intentionally to con passenger and rob them. Readers may remember that the auto fares has been increased sometime back to Rs 14 minumum and Rs 7 there after for every KM. So apart from double meter, I would had to pay the difference between the new and the old fare.

After sometime on the way, I well understand that he has manipulated the metre. I meter was jumping like a horse run in a race course. I mentioned to him that. But quarreling with him on the mid way would be futile as there were no other transport at that point of time at night. In all he metered Rs 107, that too in a Rs 12 minimum fare meter. Typically, it costs Rs 60 - 65 from Indiranagar to Majestic and on the way back it costs little more as the road is little long (rs 80 - 85). Yes, this auto driver was one of those night dreamers to make big money at night by conning and robing their money. So for doube meter for a correct fare should be within Rs 160 - 170. I confronted with him boarding down and as usual was a volley of words. This guy with dreams of making quick money by robing passengers, started to act smart by asking me to come to police station or come back to Majestic to see if the fare is Rs 60. If it is, he will make the journey free. I could well see through this designs, as the fare will never come Rs 60 with his manipulated meter. Also, he understands that late night after doing a journey nobody would like run here or there or for that visit a police station. I gave up and ended up paying around Rs 25 more obove double meter.

So my advice to any one boarding auto late night, if you have knowledge of the fare to your destination, fix the fare by bargaining before boarding. If someone tells you gently they he will go by meter, take it granted for 99% cases that it is manipulated. Never board a auto with Rs 12 minimum fare meter. Meter should have been re-calibrated by now. In big city like Bangalore people should not be at mercy for transportation. BMTC should be run late night buses from Majestic bus stand for bus and railway passenger once every hour to prominent destinations of the city. Untill then happy hours for Auto Drivers!