Written by Umang Saini
on 

Meter

In my 4+ years of experience of travelling in Auto-rickshaw's, I've found that a most of them employ one of three tactics to maximize their revenues -
  1. 10-20% faster meter
  2. Take you via 10-20% longer route
  3. Coerce you to agree for a high fixed charge
Current prices in Bengaluru are -
  1. Rs. 7 per km. (minimum hire - 2km)
  2. 1.5-2 times the rate from 10PM to 6AM
Here are few tips while hiring an three wheeler in Bengaluru -
  1. Prefer Digital Electronic Meters
  2. Fix the rate if you are not sure of the route. Check online maps such as Google Maps OR btis.in for distance estimates.
  3. Notice when the meter starts ticking after 2km mark. If this is substantially earlier than expected then immediately get out and find another Auto.
  4. Electronic meters have a secret - When being flipped, they should briefly display "2-Stroke" OR "4-Stroke". If not they are likely to have been tampered. This tip was told by a rickshaw driver himself.

Since FM has recently increased fuel taxes, Auto community will be highly motivated to protect their income. Here are my few of my long pending wishes -
  1. Compulsory tamper-free Electronic meters
  2. Pre-paid NFC Smart cards for payment.
  3. More pre-paid auto stands
  4. CNG for all new Auto's

Why this post?

Earlier this week I boarded yet another turbo-charged analog meter Auto. The driver instantly agreed for 1.5x charge (at 4:45 AM). This raised my suspicion, but instead of going for a fixed charge, I accepted the deal. Around 1.5km mark he switched to a longer route which I didn't object. This was going to cost me ~0.5km extra distance so I kept silent.


To my horror, the meter starting ticking early. I realized this when it had clocked Rs. 19. We were roughly at the 2km mark (Rs. 14). This was a ~40% faster meter, taking me through 10% longer route and that too at 1.5x the cost. I immediately aborted the trip and got off.

This was an extreme case, but 10-20% excess charge is commonplace in Bengaluru.

If you have tips on hiring an Auto-rickshaw, post in comments.

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US

Photo Credit - 1 - Wikipedia, 2 - Google Maps