[originalamit]

found the details on how to use this SMS service

txtWeb | @autofare - txtWeb

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by manavdotcom

Compare this with Airfare approximately at being Rs 2 per Km !

+ infinity to that

For those who curse Chennai autos,try Trichy

IMHO that Taxi drivers in Mumbai are the most trustworthy ; dirt cheap.There are bad guys,but they are well within the normal distribution curve.

The only warning here - beware of taxi drivers at Dadar who approach you at the W.Rly Express Train platform.Never engage them;walk out to Dadar East and catch a wayside cab.

[girishglg]

Autorickshaw drivers in the city are demanding that the minimum fare be revised to Rs.24; Rs.12 for every kilometre after that. On top of that we have to regularly bear all the nonsense from the auto drivers who refuse to ply to a particular destination, ask flat exhorbitant rates etc and now prepare pay even higher.

This is ridiculous since the last time the fare was hiked in July 2010 when the minimum fare was hiked by a steep margin from Rs.14 to Rs.17
At this rate it would be out of bounds for the common man to travel in the humble autoriksha. Even now it is better to travel by the city taxi that charges Rs.13 per km for an Indica and Rs.17 for Indigo/ Logan in Bangalore. Read the article containing the demand for the hike -

Bangalore autorickshaws demand minimum fare Rs24 - Bangalore - DNA

[vina]

Originally Posted by girishglg

Autorickshaw drivers in the city are demanding that the minimum fare be revised to Rs.24; Rs.12 for every kilometre after that. On top of that we have to regularly bear all the nonsense from the auto drivers who refuse to ply to a particular destination, ask flat exhorbitant rates etc and now prepare pay even higher.

This is ridiculous since the last time the fare was hiked in July 2010 when the minimum fare was hiked by a steep margin from Rs.14 to Rs.17
At this rate it would be out of bounds for the common man to travel in the humble autoriksha. Even now it is better to travel by the city taxi that charges Rs.13 per km for an Indica and Rs.17 for Indigo/ Logan in Bangalore. Read the article containing the demand for the hike -

Bangalore autorickshaws demand minimum fare Rs24 - Bangalore - DNA

They will price themselves out of the market - taxis cost about the same.

However keep in mind that food inflation is hitting the lower strata of the society much worse than middle class.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by vigsom

IMHO that Taxi drivers in Mumbai are the most trustworthy ; dirt cheap.There are bad guys,but they are well within the normal distribution curve.

The only warning here - beware of taxi drivers at Dadar who approach you at the W.Rly Express Train platform.Never engage them;walk out to Dadar East and catch a wayside cab.

Taxis and autos are so cheap in Mumbai, makes one feel we live in a different countries.

On the other hand, I got fleeced by an auto from the airport to the IOC guest house which is just adjacent to the airport, I had to pay 100 bucks as agreed since I did not know the distance. I walked back to the airport (10 mins)when I had to leave.

[S_U_N]

Auto fares in Pune as of 1 December 2011:
Minimum Rs. 11
Every 1.00 increment = Rs 10.
Hence total meter reading of 10.00 translates to Rs. 101
The rough calculation is Rs. 10 per KM (based on my experience). This is very close to the Mumbai taxi fare which starts at Rs. 16 for (1.6 KM, I guess).

[a*ed]

Originally Posted by girishglg

Autorickshaw drivers in the city are demanding that the minimum fare be revised to Rs.24; Rs.12 for every kilometre after that. On top of that we have to regularly bear all the nonsense from the auto drivers who refuse to ply to a particular destination, ask flat exhorbitant rates etc and now prepare pay even higher.

Bangalore autorickshaws demand minimum fare Rs24 - Bangalore - DNA

@girishglg - This is so totally ridiculous! I hope the government puts an end to this auto menace soon!

[burnt.]

Originally Posted by girishglg

This is ridiculous since the last time the fare was hiked in July 2010 when the minimum fare was hiked by a steep margin from Rs.14 to Rs.17
At this rate it would be out of bounds for the common man to travel in the humble autoriksha. Even now it is better to travel by the city taxi that charges Rs.13 per km for an Indica and Rs.17 for Indigo/ Logan in Bangalore. Read the article containing the demand for the hike -

Bangalore autorickshaws demand minimum fare Rs24 - Bangalore - DNA

If we can detach ourselves from the point of view of the end user, and take an unbiased view - It is a pretty fair demand. Do consider the fact that inflation hits the lower section of the society much harder than it hurts us. Ideally they should be able to atleast rent a small house and send their children to schools so that atleast they'll get out of the vicious cycle of poverty. I dont see how that's going to happen in a city like Bangalore with their meager incomes considering that most of them are just drivers driving for others or have to pay back loans(mostly local money lenders at exorbitant interest rates) on the vehicle.

While I am totally against their money making tactics - I do feel the basic reason behind this is the ridiculously low rates decided by the government.

[girishglg]

Agreed we should have an unbiased view. But the real question is if their economics require them to bump up their price to a level such as Rs.24 and Rs.12 per km, then how do the taxi companies earn their bread? Don't the cars cost twice the rikshaws and the drivers paid better? It is really possible that the charges are pegged higer than a air conditioned taxi?

Just look at how these guys fleece an unsuspecting customer or when they have a monopoly of public transport in some areas or when it rains etc. The point is that their service is just so pathetic. Only if they rendered good service that is they went where ever, when ever and charged what the meter showed then in turn we would have more and more people travelling with them reducing their idle time and if they then increased the fares people would really not mind paying that extra for the service rendered.

[burnt.]

Originally Posted by girishglg

Agreed we should have an unbiased view. But the real question is if their economics require them to bump up their price to a level such as Rs.24 and Rs.12 per km, then how do the taxi companies earn their bread? Don't the cars cost twice the rikshaws and the drivers paid better? It is really possible that the charges are pegged higer than a air conditioned taxi?

Contrary to people's perception, auto's are not that cheap. From the price of the auto to obtaining a permit and all other related expenses will definitely cost upwards of 2 Lacs. The maintenance cost is not much cheaper than that of a car. The spare prices are quite expensive and it needs frequent upkeep - total cost should be around that of an indicab. Running cost at present lpg rates at around 20km/pl would be around the same as that of an indicab.

All this while the indicab at a minimum of 12 rs / km is able to charge 33% more than the autowalah. Plus minimum charges are usually much higher.

But the real fact is that taxi operates in more of a free market environment. His rate was decided by supply vs demand.

But for the autowalah it is still license raj. He has to obtain a permit to operate, and his income is fixed at a very low limit by the government. All our problems with them will be resolved if the govt frees up the market. If their operating conditions w.r.t the government and the rates they are allowed to charge are similar to the city taxi walahs - we can expect similar service from them as well.

P.S - If the taxi and auto rates converge, we customers will get better service as a lot more city cabs will crop up. Right now they are a bit difficult to get hold of.

[blue_pulsar]

Originally Posted by vina

They will price themselves out of the market

Hope that happens soon enough. It made sense when travelling by autorickshaws was much cheaper than taxis. Doesn't make sense to have them on road anymore.

Auto rickshaws are totally obsolete in today's date. They create unnecessary nuisance on the roads. Add to that bad attitude of the drivers. I think we must put a full-stop to these autos as soon as possible. It will be more environment friendly too.

[vina]

Originally Posted by burnt.

Contrary to people's perception, auto's are not that cheap. From the price of the auto to obtaining a permit and all other related expenses will definitely cost upwards of 2 Lacs. The maintenance cost is not much cheaper than that of a car. The spare prices are quite expensive and it needs frequent upkeep - total cost should be around that of an indicab. Running cost at present lpg rates at around 20km/pl would be around the same as that of an indicab.

All this while the indicab at a minimum of 12 rs / km is able to charge 33% more than the autowalah. Plus minimum charges are usually much higher.

But the real fact is that taxi operates in more of a free market environment. His rate was decided by supply vs demand.

But for the autowalah it is still license raj. He has to obtain a permit to operate, and his income is fixed at a very low limit by the government. All our problems with them will be resolved if the govt frees up the market. If their operating conditions w.r.t the government and the rates they are allowed to charge are similar to the city taxi walahs - we can expect similar service from them as well.

P.S - If the taxi and auto rates converge, we customers will get better service as a lot more city cabs will crop up. Right now they are a bit difficult to get hold of.

Having worked for a charity where we have scholarships to some poor students - some of whose fathers were auto drivers, I agree fully.

In fact the autorickshaw costs upwards of 2lacs, add to that the annual fees amd extortion money to the traffic cops and the expenses are a lot.

Also, while many wouldn't like it - let's compare the increase in autorickshaw fares with the increase in salaries of a 3yrs experienced engineer over the last 10years. You would find that the increase in salary for worse trained engineers today over their counterparts 10yrs ago, is more than that for autowallahs on much harder and dangerous roads.

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

Hope that happens soon enough. It made sense when travelling by autorickshaws was much cheaper than taxis. Doesn't make sense to have them on road anymore.

Auto rickshaws are totally obsolete in today's date. They create unnecessary nuisance on the roads. Add to that bad attitude of the drivers. I think we must put a full-stop to these autos as soon as possible. It will be more environment friendly too.

They will price themselves out, but they wont at the same time. Taxi and autorickshaw are jsut not the same - convenience, minimum distance, availability ... all play their roles.

[ra'ul M]

Originally Posted by blue_pulsar

Auto rickshaws are totally obsolete in today's date. They create unnecessary nuisance on the roads. Add to that bad attitude of the drivers. I think we must put a full-stop to these autos as soon as possible. It will be more environment friendly too.

Auto's are not completely obsolete. All they need is a little TLC for they are extremely useful.
They have low running costs, hence cheaper than taxis. Modern autos are running on LPG, CNG etc. so they are environment friendly too.
Also, IMO they do not create unnecessary nuisance on the roads. Imagine them all being replaced by taxis! The already congested by lanes would choke from the congestion.
We have Radio Auto service in Chandigarh . Although its an isolated case, the model works very well and is also well received. Its cheaper by 5 bucks per km than a taxi and far more nimble to run short errands. Their waiting and parking charges are also lower so it all adds up.
That could be one way forward on a national level as the auto service is generally poor save a few cities.

[Jignesh]

Hello,

Transport Department survey of Autos & Taxis in Mumbai - interesting facts:

1. Auto - Runs 85 Kms on average everday & fuel efficiency is in range of 22 - 25 km per kg of CNG

2. Taxi - Runs 100 - 120 Kms on average everday & fuel efficiency is in range of 12 - 20 km per kg of CNG

Wonder why are still Auto Unions demanding fare hikes? Because above figures prove that cost of CMG in Auto is less Rs. 2 per KM.

As usual Union Leader Sharad Rao has dismissed the survey stating that it is flawed..

LInk to the full article: Transport department completes survey of autos, taxis in Mumbai - The Times of India

Another interesting piece of news today - Auto owners in Mumbai demand advertising rights on vehicles to earn extra: Auto owners in Mumbai demand advertising rights on vehicles to earn extra - The Times of India
Does this mean that we will not have Autos will advertisements on exterior body, just like Volvo buses?

Thanks,

[Mad Max]

In Bangalore, these are the following rates (by possession of a laptop bag)

Local + no laptop bag - haggling but mostly meter

Local + laptop bag - haggling with x fixed amount on top of meter

Non local + no laptop bag - minimal haggling with flat rate as per destination (pulled out the driver's mind by estimating your wealth depending on your dress and other items)

Non local + laptop bag - no haggling - exorbitant rate quoted and then given discount of 10-20Rs (again rate fixed as per destination and estimation of wealth based on appearance)

Non local + indication of not knowing the exact destination - step1 : request all money in bank account step2: upon refusal, call another auto walla and negotiate a slightly lower rate and step3: drop off in unknown location and claim this is exactly where the destination is

We live in Sarjapur road and these fellows never use the meter. They ask for 40Rs from my place to office which is EXACTLY 2 km. (saar... no return passenger saarr) or meter + fixed.

May I request some of our local Bangy friends to educate us on some chit-chat terms and sentences that we can use to haggle? How to ask if auto will come to destination x? How much are you asking? I will give only x. No, this is too much, I'll pay only x. And so on..

If someone drives me to the destination with the meter running, I usually tip him an extra 10Rs or round off to the next *ty Rs.