Bangalored Rickshaw-wallahs

by Nikhil

Welcome back!

I go through a love (?) hate relationship with Bangalore, feelings that go on a roller coaster everyday. Though I hate this place for the traffic that is chaotic and stationary(yes!!!) ,the rains that transform this place into a pool and makes me come home like a Hippopotamus wading through a filthy pool…there are other factors as well that makes me simply hate this place!!!

So much that I feel like going back home, start farming in some remote place in Kerala or do nothing ,sit at home, at let my mom feed me daily with tons of rice, sambar, pulissery and fish(:D I wish!!)…so much that I feel like taking my company to Trivandum, so so much that I feel like starting something on my own away away from Bangalore…..

The autorickshaws that screw up the traffic is the latest in my hate list. No, I don’t much care ‘coz they put in their share of chaos into the traffic, that is what they do in every other city. The rates, phew!!!

Where on earth can a rickshaw guy shamelessly ask for one and a half rates irrespective of the time of the day or the place to which you wish to rent the auto to?

6 am is too early so they ask for one and a half, 8 am is again early, after sometime it would be traffic, then it would be ‘coz they wouldn’t get a return trip ‘coz it that odd time of the day, then its traffic time again, or it midnight for them after 7pm!!! whatay logic!!

Half the times these guys are not ready to come, ‘coz there is traffic(so what do these guys plan to do idling through the day) or the destination is too faar, or too close, or is some god forsaken place to which they feel theirs would be the first auto to go that day! Whatever the reason be, they are an annoying lot.

They have the audacity to ask for random rates which is usually at least 20-30 bucks more than the meter rates. These men in khaki(lol!!!) feels that anyone who comes out from an IT company(read ,has a tag hanging from their neck) is filthy rich, desperate to reach home, ready to pay any amount. Most of the times these khaki men manage to fleece a poor commuter, because he finds it impossible to find anybody agreeing for a reasonable rate….

I am sure these auto wallahs make the maximum out of the chaos called Bangalore.Lucky them, what else to say!

I look forward to the day, when they charge only by meter…I know it is impossible, still I can wish, hope……

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13 comments

1 Abhijith { 09.16.07 at 6:35 pm }: Does any auto in Bangalore have meters, that u go on dreaming abt the day they charge with that. I still rem the day u explained the rate equation when i came in auto to see u in Pune.

Fr a worse deal, try goin in auto anywhere in Chennai! Then u’ll say the bangalore guys r angels!
2 Sajith M { 09.17.07 at 4:11 am }: Prefer not to take an auto if I can help it. Last four years in Bangalore, I have met less than ten *honest* auto drivers (some statistic that is)

Btw, where are you in Bangalore?
3 Nikhil Narayanan { 09.17.07 at 5:49 am }: @ Abhi he he! yes, they do have meters, jus another farce! No da, none can beat Bangalore!!!

@Sajith, thanks machu….Koramangala il staying, CVRaman Nagar office…neeyo??
4 parulyo { 09.17.07 at 4:11 pm }: i have heard worse stories about Chennai…
Btw i found the mallu-autowalla’s attitude a bit similar ;P
5 uthara { 09.18.07 at 2:00 am }: they will charge u by the meter if u ask them to. Well this place and its people have been spoilt rotten by the IT guys who r filthy rich.They pay whatever when asked and never protest.Think abt the poor PSU worker in the ‘bangalored situation’!!!
6 uthara { 09.18.07 at 2:02 am }: clarification : ‘spoilt rotten’ is not a comment to offend anyone. i have all the love for the IT ppl. But IT ppl do pamper and luv getting pampered.
7 Shana { 10.01.07 at 2:19 pm }: Chennai is worse…In India it’s about finding alternatives rather than treating the problem…Get a 2 Wheeler and resolve this problem rather than finding fun in writing long stories. Also If you are smart and has a good command you can get the rick at the rate you need. But Somethings remain unchanged. There is no place on earth which works the way you want.Find solutions yourself rather broadcating your problems to the world…:-) Have a good day !
8 Nikhil Narayanan { 10.01.07 at 2:51 pm }: @ Shana
This blog is a place where I “broadcast” my problems. Its up to u if u can relate to the woes or not. I dont much care if u find this post unrelated or my woes out of the world.
Ok, agreed. There is no Utopia. Does that mean that issues can not be voiced.
And I am smart enough to wait for a ric that charges as per the meter.

A 2 wheeler jus adds to another problem is Bangalore-traffic….its upto one self what the “right” solution is……

You too have a great day
9 Sajith M { 10.10.07 at 7:02 pm }: Nikhil, am staying at HSR Layout and office at Cunningham Road.

Abhijith, Shana. Had the “pleasure” of dealing with Chennai auto guys. And I agree, Bangalore is a hell lot better

uthara, guess that is an over-generalization. Most IT guys don’t earn as much as people think and as such are not “filthy rich”. And I wonder, why do IT folks get blamed for all ills of the city..
10 Sathyan { 10.19.07 at 6:51 am }: HI Nikhil,
Excellent Article, How true it is with respect to these rotten auto-wallahs. What i do it simple, just ignore these arrongant fools, take a bus however unconfortable and use an auto only under extreme circumstances. Sadly, the bus system in bangalore is not as it shud have been and more people entensively depend on these morons and that is the reason why they do this to public. Shame on their clan !!!
11 tenalirama { 10.19.07 at 7:23 am }: (B’lore)Mirror, (B’lore)Mirror on the wall..
whose blog’s are being featured in ur Fame Hall

Dude read ur blog in the newspaper..great going
12 fighter jet { 10.22.07 at 3:05 pm }: well said.True to the core..without any axxagaration.The fucking autowalal think they are god and we the comutters are at their mercy.I for one make sure that either I pay them a fixed amount or go by meter.Never agreed to their ‘one and half’ scheme …
13 Nikhil Narayanan { 10.23.07 at 6:21 pm }: @Sathyan @ Fighter Jet
You said it.
@tenalirama
thanks dude!! without ur support and motivation…..blah blah