Autorickshaw drivers in the City seem to be having a gala time during the puja holidays, considering their eagerness to charge whatever figure comes to their mind — regardless of the actual distance covered.
Of late, it is almost as if there is no such thing such as meters. For the common man, while trying to get from one place to another, there is often no option but to succumb to the ridiculous demands of these autorickshaw drivers. Metrolife speaks to some commuters who face this inconvenience on a daily basis.
For Rupa, a young professional, the problem lies in the fact that there is no other option when it comes to commuting.
"It is ridiculous that the common man has to give in to the whims of these horrible auto drivers during the festive season. Year after year, they cheat their customers and get away with it. Somebody needs to put a ceiling on the amount they can charge for a given distance," she expresses.
It's the same story for students, who are worse hit than the earning members of the society. "I had to go from Johnson Market to Malleswaram at three in the afternoon one day. There was an auto without the ID display and the driver randomly asked for Rs 300. Knowing Kannada didn't even help — I was forced to take a crowded bus to Majestic and then, another one to Malleswaram," shares Arjun Datta Majumdar, a student.
Prabhu, an auto driver, admits that most of his peers tend to up their rates seeing others do it.
"If I see my fellow autorickshaw drivers refusing to go by the meter, I do the same. Why shouldn't I make a few extra bucks when everyone else in my profession is?" he questions.
Sadly, there's no argument to such a case of herd mentality. There is possibly one solution to the entire mess — prepaid auto stands, wherever one can find them.
But if you're stuck in places like Commercial Street, Mantri Mall (Malleswaram)
or near the KSRTC Depot, where the counters have been closed down, there is unfortunately no silver lining in sight.
Of late, it is almost as if there is no such thing such as meters. For the common man, while trying to get from one place to another, there is often no option but to succumb to the ridiculous demands of these autorickshaw drivers. Metrolife speaks to some commuters who face this inconvenience on a daily basis.
For Rupa, a young professional, the problem lies in the fact that there is no other option when it comes to commuting.
"It is ridiculous that the common man has to give in to the whims of these horrible auto drivers during the festive season. Year after year, they cheat their customers and get away with it. Somebody needs to put a ceiling on the amount they can charge for a given distance," she expresses.
It's the same story for students, who are worse hit than the earning members of the society. "I had to go from Johnson Market to Malleswaram at three in the afternoon one day. There was an auto without the ID display and the driver randomly asked for Rs 300. Knowing Kannada didn't even help — I was forced to take a crowded bus to Majestic and then, another one to Malleswaram," shares Arjun Datta Majumdar, a student.
Prabhu, an auto driver, admits that most of his peers tend to up their rates seeing others do it.
"If I see my fellow autorickshaw drivers refusing to go by the meter, I do the same. Why shouldn't I make a few extra bucks when everyone else in my profession is?" he questions.
Sadly, there's no argument to such a case of herd mentality. There is possibly one solution to the entire mess — prepaid auto stands, wherever one can find them.
But if you're stuck in places like Commercial Street, Mantri Mall (Malleswaram)
or near the KSRTC Depot, where the counters have been closed down, there is unfortunately no silver lining in sight.