For those who do not know, travelling within Bangalore via autorickshaws, cabs and bike taxis is ridiculously expensive. For somebody who first used to live in Kolkata and then settled in Bangalore, I can vouch for the fact that I received probably one of the biggest shocks of my life after my first auto ride in the city as I saw how much it charged. Don’t believe me? Here’s an example.
A man named Mandar Natekar took to Twitter to share how an autorickshaw driver charged him Rs 100 for a 0.5 km ride. To add context to his story, he shared that Mumbai autorickshaw drivers charge Rs 100 for approximately 9 km.
In this photo you will see the most ornamental thing in Bengaluru. The great Auto Meter. So expensive that it never gets used.
I just paid 100Rs for a 500 mtrs ride. To give perspective, in Mumbai 100Rs is the meter fare for approx 9 kms. @peakbengaluru pic.twitter.com/7piaKjGhnY— Mandar Natekar (@mandar2404) July 22, 2023
While several people living outside Bangalore were left in shock, others who live in the city shared similar and even worse experiences of being overcharged by autorickshaw drivers. Here’s a look at some of the responses:
It’s practically the same for every city outside mumbai. Chennai is notorious for its auto rides
— Vijay Koshy (@vijaykoshy) July 22, 2023
Such people should walk the 500 meters… It will take about 7-10 minutes… This is like complaining “Samsung charges 15000 while iPhone charges 90000…
— V Ramesh🇮🇳 (@VRameshV_) July 24, 2023
I have faced a similar issue. I was asked to pay Rs. 250 for 1.40 kms from Garuda Mall to Lido Mall. I refused to pay and decided to walk and reached earlier compared to me taking an auto and getting stuck in peak Bangalore traffic
— Saurav Das (@sauravslcu) July 24, 2023
Agree…the auto loots in places like bangalore and hyd is rampant. Experienced this on a recent trip to mumbai when i was handed over change after my travel which i least expect in hyd or bng
— srinivas (@srinim27) July 25, 2023
Woah…. I go from Chandigarh to Kharar sometimes, it costs 150 bucks and a mere 40 bucks on shared one for a good 10 to 12 kms
— Frank Einstein (@rohitpsharma) July 25, 2023
Bangalore always had a meter-culture. Auto drivers did not dare to start without a meter on. But Ola/Uber change the mindset over the last 3-5 years. “When you can pay 100 bucks on Ola, you surely can pay the same to me” – This is the driver’s attitude these days.
— sea_eagle (@tarunmallappa) July 25, 2023
That’s when I was in Mumbai.. Almost all put meter it was like.. Yeh kithna awsome hain yaar… I used to give extra 10 , 20 even without them asking
. Thts why blore taxi apps are mandatory— Ratan Raj (@ratanraj_k) July 25, 2023
On a lighter note, now u know the cost of living is very high in Bangalore, please give good salary hike tonur employees and please ask other CEO’s as well 🙏
— Vinay Suresh (@VinaySuresh) July 25, 2023
The most expensive cabs/autos l came across are in Gangtok. They were charging minimum rs 150 in 2019 summer even if distance is as low as 500 meters. It was horrible experience. We were carrying luggage hence we required vehicle for a distance of 500 meters also.
— Amit Rathi (@amitrathi6505) July 25, 2023
This is every day business for common Bangaloreans where sometime they charged 3 to 4 times higher rate than normal. Yes, you are right Mumbai me proper meter par fare charge hota and 1 rupay bhi driver return karta hai but in bglr they expect tip as well after this
— therealpunch👊 (@therealpunch1) July 24, 2023
The cost of living in big cities is too damn much. We shouldn’t have left home in the first place! 😭