A large number of citizens are feeling cheated with many autorickshaw drivers across the city refusing to ply by meter or taking short-distance passengers. Apart from meters being tampered with, they overcharge while travelling to far-flung places. Citizens Speak Up
Those who travel by autorickshaw should carry a tariff card with them
Autorickshaw drivers do charge high at times, but that is only when they have to ferry customers to far-flung places like Manjri as they are sure that they will not get a return passenger. However, if the drivers charge more for places within city limits, then it is wrong. Everybody should carry a tariff card when travelling by autorickshaw so that they are not duped. Secondly, if you are being overcharged, you can complain to the RTO (Regional Transport Office). The RTO imposes a huge fine on such drivers who ask for extra money.
—Baba Adhav, president, Rickshaw Panchayat
Being a foreigner, they try to extract more money from me
In the area that I live in, autorickshaw drivers refuse to take us where we want to go, even if it is nearby. For short distances, they charge a lot of money and don’t use the meter, especially during the night time. They even are short on change, so I have to go to nearby shops and get some. It is really hard to find autorickshaws for long distances as they don’t want to travel to the other side of town. Being a foreigner, they try to extract more money from me. They also take a different or a longer route, so that they can charge more by meter. However, some of them are nice. They are keen to know about our country and talk to us. The traffic in the city is really crazy. So, the drivers drive a little rashly and it gets really scary for those inside the autorickshaw.
—Leonardo Pimentel, 18 (FC Road)
When travelling long distance, autos ask for return fare
The autorickshaws in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area do not follow the meter system. Due to this, negotiating with them becomes very difficult. At times they ask for return fare on top of the original one-way fare. I frequently need to travel to Pune, especially Vimannagar. Auto drivers charge Rs250-270 for just one-way and on top of that if they ask for a return fare, it burns a hole in my pocket. The most annoying thing about the autorickshaw stand near my college in Vimannagar is that they have formed groups. Hence, they charge fixed fares for different destinations. If I complain about the fare and wish to take another auto, which is passing by, the autorickshaw group won’t allow me to do so. They state that it is their area. So I am left with no option but to take the rickshaw from the stand and pay whatever amount they charge.
—Ankita Ashesh, 19 (Pimpri-Chinchwad)
Early in the morning, autorickshaws refuse to ply by meter
When I want to go to Deccan from Kothrud, the drivers always charge extra. When I ask them to show the tariff card, they mostly deny carrying one. At 4.30 am or 5 am, autorickshaws refuse to ply by meter from Pune railway station to my house. This has happened thrice and they have charged me up to Rs160 for that distance. Also, from Tilak Smarak Mandir or Balgandharva, the autorickshaw drivers always charge more after 7 pm. As the bus frequency is less from that area to Kothrud, I have no option but to travel by an autorickshaw. Worst is, some charge extra if I carry a small luggage. Although most of them are adamant, some auto drivers are very nice and honest.
—Prabhakar Jawadekar, 70 (Kothrud depot)
Autos charge double the actual meter amount for short distances
The autorickshaw drivers in my area refuse to travel short distances, within a 3-km radius. If I need to travel to Yerwada or Pune airport, they either refuse or charge double the actual meter amount. Despite knowing that autorickshaw drivers are not supposed to refuse to ply short distances, I cannot take any action against those who commit the offence.
Once when I was refused a ride, I reported the offence to the traffic police. However, he did not take any action. Many a times, autorickshaws do not stop when I flag them down. They also do not keep any change with them, so I often end up paying more. Also, I have noticed that the meters run faster. Otherwise, how can there be a difference of Rs20-30 on the same route? Apart from these issues, autorickshaws do not follow the lane system causing traffic to slow down.
—Aarti Bhandare, 53 (Vishrantwadi)
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