Chennai Auto. , Photo Credit: Getty Images
We came out of the hotel in Chennai and were greeted by auto drivers. “Auto sir?” We went towards the auto. “Where do you want to go?” “Mylapore”. “How much?” “₹150.” “Kya, it is a little more than 1 kilometer, then why 150 rupees.” “Okay. How much will you give?” “₹50, “₹100.” “No, ₹50.” “No.”
(The above and the following conversation, if one reads it translated into Tamil, the effect will be manifold, as it is Madras Tamil).
We drove over and then launched the ride hailing app and selected our destination and mode as “auto”. We waited patiently as the app wandered around looking for a driver. Eventually, we got approval from a respected auto driver. “Tring”. my mobile rang It was an auto driver. “Where do you want to go?” “Mylapore Tank”. “cash payment?” “No, online.”
The next moment the ride was canceled and the detour started again. Obviously, these “autobrats” accept only material wealth. We changed the mode of payment to cash and tried our luck again booking a ride. This time the ride was approved in a jiffy. The auto came and we were dropped at our destination. We politely asked, “Do you have any ‘PACE’ (UPI)?” “Yes.” And we pay digitally. But not everyone has “PE” or is not willing to share their “PE Number” for payment. they like kashu,
Another experience gave us the biggest shock of our lives. The driver accepted the ride even though it was an online payment. We got dropped at our destination and he asked for payment. We said “online.” “You should have told me it was online.” And then he started calling us “abuses” all over Chennai. We ran to the hotel lest he try to attack us. From then on, we decided that we would drive in our jaunty jalopy (fortunately, we had driven till Chennai). And it was a comfortable drive, a respite from hearing or talking to the “Autobrats”.
But then, miscreants used to come here too. We waited for the traffic to clear up a bit before turning right. The impatient brat, who was in a hurry to leave, said, “Biggi (it literally means old man in Tamil), go. When you are old why drive?” He doesn’t know that we old people drive safer and faster than young people, because our reflexes and health are still intact.
In our last trip to Chennai we traveled by train. There was a prepaid counter at the central station. The counter was surrounded by auto and cab drivers. But there was nobody at the counters. Of course, went for breakfast. And these auto and cab drivers were touting their own “get rich quick” figures. We waited for some time and then went to the stand near the suburban train. We took an auto from a ride hailing app, of course the mode of payment was cash. At our destination, we asked him our standard question, “Do you have any ‘paces’?” “Yeah, but can you give me the cash?” “No, we don’t have cash.” “Ok that’s my number” and we paid him digitally.
Oh! I almost forgot. Every auto has something called a meter. Alas, these have become showpieces. The next generation of meters should be AI powered – Autobrat Intelligence powered.
There are exceptions for drivers, but they are few and hard to find. Probably his auto will be of different colour. So, the next time any of you travel to Chennai and your preferred mode of travel is an auto, make sure to carry loads of cash with you, just like the suitcases the villains used to carry in old movies.
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