Auto-Rickshaw

Lessons are not to be taught, but to be learned. Through the following paragraphs, we would discuss about the lessons, which I had learned from the Auto-Rickshaws. Rickshaw is a small two-wheeled cart, for one or two passengers; pulled by a person. The upgraded versions of the Rickshaw are three-wheeled, named as Auto-Rickshaw, where the manual pulling is automated using mechanical devices. For the sake of ease, let me mention 'Auto-Rickshaw' as 'auto' henceforth.

Travelling by an auto is not all the pleasant, as it has to be. I was told that Chennai auto drivers dissatisfy their customers more than in any other cities of India. This is really pathetic and I feel sorry for that. While travelling by an auto, you would have faced either some of, or all of the situations mentioned below:

1. By the end of the trip you are astonished by the reading value it shows, as costlier (or even more) as your train ticket fare from your native place!!
2. No matter how much more you give, still the auto drivers would ask for more and more
3. For the unknown destinations, you get to travel the longest route

Following are the things, which I normally practice to avoid the above issues.

1. Know about the tariff fixed by the government.
2. Find out the approximate distance to your destination.
3. Based on the above inputs, calculate the approximate fare value.
4. Then talk to the auto driver about the acceptable value and the exact location. If the auto driver agrees then step into the auto. Otherwise, look out for another.

These practices, help in avoiding these issues. Because we agree on a rate with the auto driver, his expectations are set. So there is no question of more money latter. Also to ensure that he get the maximum profit, would then, take you through the shortest distance.

These tips can help you most of the time, but not all the time. It also depends on your need, the time of the need, the number of alternatives available, the time availability factor and at some crisis times. During any of these times, it is unrealistic to go by the above guidelines. For, it is not what we save on the auto trip but on the other important things which are to be accomplished / taken care of.

Working around the problem does not solve an issue by any degree. Whatever we are right now discussing is - Working around the problem. The main issue is related to the ethics and culture of the auto drivers. The system has to refine itself to better standards. For a simple trip, the customers need not do so much of preparations. Though the above may mostly work with people who know the regional language, but for the foreigners (for both outside the state and even worse for the people outside the country), the problem still continues. And it is this change in our society, which I'm awaiting for a longer period. There has to be a way out, I'm still unaware of it. If you know, please do let me know.


exact - mentioning the exact location is important in setting the right expectation. At times, this also becomes the source of an issue.