A drive on Auto Rickshaw across India

Add as a preferred source on Google

Tuk-tuk or an auto rickshaw is an inseparable part of Indian transport. From a kid to an age-old person, every Indian shares a related feeling with this common man's vehicle. The interesting factor about this cute and small three-wheeler vehicle is that some people like me just prefer or love a travel in it than in any other vehicle. However the major drawback of these vehicles is the rude and insinuating behaviour from some of its drivers.

Here are some of my personal experiences in auto rickshaws across India.

Kerala: I would start from " God's own Country". There was a drizzle when I got into the auto rickshaw at Thrissur bus stand. There is no question of meters for God's own autos. The evening was spreading fast and I fixed the rate with auto driver to go to St. Mary's college (One of the most famous colleges in Kerala) near by. The driver was completely oblivious of the institution and I gave him a landmark four buildings away from the college. As we rode further from that landmark the rate started to rise not in the meter but through his words. I got down at my destination and ended up paying him extra 20 Rs for the extra distance we covered. I still remember his baddie face preventing me from entering the college gate until I pay him the extra money.

Pondicherry: I found the auto drivers at Pondicherry quiet jovial. We have to just go near the auto stand and the best of the assembled autos will be at our service. At a first experience you won't even feel like fixing the rate with those kind and happy faces. But wait! You may be stepping into another treachery as I had faced. I hired an auto rickshaw from Rangapillai Street for my first visit at Aurobindo Ashram. The journey completed within half an hour and I didn't complain when I gave the cheerful driver a fifty-rupee note. During my second visit to the Ashram only I realized that I could walk to the Ashram from Rangapillai Street within 10 minutes.

Chennai: I was determined not to be fooled by the auto drivers when I visited Chennai. Therefore I insisted on putting the meter when I hired an auto from Spencers Plaza to Koyampedu. I completely denied paying him the demanded 150/-Rs, as I knew that in meter the rate wouldn't come above 75/-Rs. The meter was working fine for some distance and after some time I noticed that it stopped moving. We reached at Koyampedu by the time our argument was in its peak. What to tell more! 'Anna' (Brother) gets what he demanded.

Bangalore: I was completely relaxed when an old auto driver with a saintly smile approached me at the Cantonment Railway station. Even though it was 8 o' clock in the morning I agreed to pay him half of the meter charge extra considering the worst condition of roads at my Sarjapura destination. I was shocked to see the saintly manner disappearing as we entered the remote roads. The meter charge was 155/- by that time and he started demanding double charges. I completely denied his demands. He stopped abruptly in the middle of the road and asked me to get down. He started shouting at me and told his old stories to whomever passer-by listens. Finally I ended up paying him 300/-Rs and walked the rest 1 Km with my luggage.