Walking along the streets of Pune, I hire an auto at an odd hour. An auto is not my usual means of travel, but it is late and it is one of the fastest means of public transport available. I realize it will cost way more than usual, but I have fewer alternatives so late at night. I chose to pay the inevitable price for reaching home soon. But what surprises me every single time, is auto vala illegally charging the passenger more than the legal fare that amounts in the meter.
An event commonly faced by Punekars- auto valas charging more than the legal fare. An extra 10-50 rupees demanded from a passenger who needs to go to an odd location or travel at an odd hour. Sometimes, passengers are charged as much as 1.5-2 times higher than the legal fare.
The most common excuse used by an auto vala for such actions, is the certainty of not getting another passenger at an odd hour/location. How is that the passenger's problem? Why are so many citizens like myself prey to these illegal actions?
The auto fares have been framed by the government. As the price of petrol rose, the fares kept increasing. Now the price has dropped. Even so, every auto driver continues to charge the extra amount for every trip.
Citizens in extreme situations, tired after a long travel or late to reach their destination, are forced to comply to such demands. Why is no action being taken?
I have tried every singly time not to fall prey to such scams. But it would be more effective if an action is taken to declare such illegal demands as a punishable offence. A meter is installed in every auto to determine the fare and the passenger must be charged as per the fare computed on it.
Here I am raising my voice against such scams, asking for the support of those citizens who have faced such scams and are tired of it. Raise your voice with me...
