BANGALORE: The hike in auto fares on March 12 has not gone down well not only with the commuters, but surprisingly even the auto drivers don’t seem to be very happy about it. With the popular perception of the auto drivers in the city being arrogant, rude and greedy, this move has only made it worse for them.
City Express spoke to many auto drivers who felt that the most recent fare hike has increased the commuter’s angst against them.
They said that though they work hard all day, they manage to earn not more than Rs 250-300 a day which is not enough to support their family. Somshekar, a auto driver said, “With the increase in the price of LPG auto gas, we have no choice, but to increase the auto fare. We depend on commuters who travel by auto on a regular basis and they are not happy with the revision in fares. We know it is a burden for our customers, but we have no choice either.”
Though there were commuters for whom this hike didn’t make a difference.
Sindhuja, a media professional who frequently travels by auto said, “As it is, they never agree to charge you by metre and I end up paying more. So I don’t know how this move will actually affect me in any way.”