Auto Rickshaws and Bangalore

I might be in a complaining wagon or just the cribbing type. But these auto rickshaws in Bangalore just triggered me to write. I decided not to get a car in this city due to various reasons and the only other option to commute is to take an auto ride.

I will give a couple of examples to drive home the point.

I live in Koramangala, quite a posh locality, pretty close to Forum Mall (a place which allows you to spend your money, without feeling too much of a guilt). Off and on I go back home to my parents in Vijayawada and do this journey by bus. My bus (usually a Volvo) reaches the city pretty early and I get down at this place called Tin Factory. There are two reasons for this. Let me explain. The bus usually goes through the city traffic until it reaches a place which is really close to Koramangala. However, it would delay me by an hour or so and get me to miss my office shuttle. Hence the option is to get down at Tin Factory and take an auto. Once you get off, auto drivers flock to you. They will ask for anywhere between 200 to 500 rupees and you do not have too much of a choice. Because everyone wants the same and they will stop anybody trying to charge you less. I guess these guys do not understand that we do not want to buy the auto, just take a ride.


The situation worsens if there is rain in the city. That’s it. they blankly charge high fares or simply refuse to carry you around. I remember this friend of mine telling me that she waited and asked for a lift to over twenty autos (could be an exaggerated number) and finally asked one where the auto was going (instead of asking for the lift) . He said Indiranagar (her destination too) . She told him that she wanted to go to Indiranagar as well, and the auto driver just waved his hands and said, “nehin nehin, nehin jana” and drove off. I am sure he appreciates that none of us want a free ride. Then why? Beats me.


My friend Mohan has his office at Embassy Golf Links. On getting a new job, he moved into this city only to find that after long hours at a demanding investment bank job, he does not get an auto to get back home. They just refuse. Blankly. Mohan thought better of it, did a 650 kilometers road trip on his cruiser bike to circumvent the problem. Sounds good, true….I could do the same but then there is one glitch in the whole thing, I do not know how to ride a bike. Sigh!!!In other countries the cab drivers get in conversation with you and also check if you are doing fine and often greet you with a smile. Aren’t they from the same industry? I don’t see this in this India. They are often ready to take you for a ride. They commonly goof up with the meter so you are always charged more. And take you on the longest ride ever, if you do not know the way to your destination. You can pay the auto driver more if you don’t have change but you can never give them one rupee less. They are very arrogant and also drive rashly on the roads. It’s also not safe for women to travel alone late night in an auto.


Is there a solution for this? Can I smile at them and converse with them, to change their attitude? I guess that also would be misunderstood. After all, this city never fails to surprise me.