CHENNAI: If one were to compare the bargaining skills of people across the country, those from Chennai would win. And this would be because the people of Chennai go through the best of litmus test, as far as bargaining is concerned with the autorickshaw driver.
Commuters’ woes and complaints have existed for so long that they have become a way of life. The High Court intervened and directed the State to regulate fares and for a brief period in 2013, things seemed to be under control. Traffic cops plastered dedicated helpline numbers and the transport department chipped in too, but the ‘auto annas’ seem to have found a way out of the enforcement.
From bad roads to the hot weather, the ‘genuine’ reasons we are showered with are aplenty. City Express rides across the city in the three-wheeler that burns holes in our pockets...
Tricks of the Trade
Most auto drivers first quote a huge amount without relevance to distance and the actual tariff. But once you start bargaining with subtle intimidation, they lower the fare and cite a lame excuse or two
Minimum Tariff at Rs 25
The government has fixed a minimum tarrif of Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km and Rs 12 for every subsequent km. The fare between 11 pm and 5 am is to be 50% higher than the daytime fare. The government has also fixed waiting charges at Rs 3.50 for every five minutes and Rs 42 per hour.
