Bengaluru man shares tactic to lower auto fares, but internet isn't happy: ‘You wasted 30 minutes for this?'
'If you see exorbitant prices for autos, just keep booking and cancel them as soon as they reach your vicinity. For your safety, keep the pick-up location 1-2 min walk away,' he wrote.
He further claimed this tactic manipulates the app's pricing algorithm.
'Just keep booking and cancelling them as soon as they reach your vicinity. With enough autos in your vicinity, the demand automatically falls,' the post read.
According to him, using this trick over 30 minutes helped him reduce the fare from ₹ 180 to ₹ 120.
The post has divided opinion on social media, with some calling the move unethical and others praising it as a clever workaround to beat inflated fares. Another user shared the Reddit post on X, calling the tactic 'wrong on so many levels,' which drew sharp reactions from users who criticised the Bengaluru resident. However, many others backed the method, describing it as a way to push back against 'overcharging.'
'You wasted 30 minutes of time and energy to save 60 rupees? If you have to do such petty stuff to book an auto, maybe it's time to switch to a bicycle," one user wrote.
Another pointed out the potential consequences: 'Wait till Uber/Rapido blocks your account for doing this. They can detect cancellation abuse.'
Others pointed out the flaws in repeated bookings and cancellations. "They will eventually charge for cancelling many times as it happened to me. Or they'll ban you if you do a lot of times," one of them said.
"It's a dangerous game, but I guess it could be karma coming back to all the auto guys," said one of them.
"Autos need to realise that if they plan to game the system to their side, the customer too can do the same," said another.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Centre allows use of non-transport motorcycles for passenger journeys through aggregators
The Union government on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) for the first time allowed use of non-transport (private) motorcycles for passenger journeys through aggregators, subject to state government approval, providing long-awaited regulatory clarity for India's shared mobility sector. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in its 'Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines 2025' said the new guidelines attempt to provide a light-touch regulatory system while attending to issues of safety and security of the user and the welfare of the driver. "The State government may allow aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for journey by passengers as shared mobility through aggregators resulting in reduced traffic congestion and vehicular pollution, along with providing inter alia affordable passenger mobility, hyperlocal delivery, creating livelihood opportunities,' "the guideline said. According to the guideline, the State government may, in exercise of its powers under sub-section (3) of Section 67 of the Act, permit aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for journey by passengers. "The State government may, under sub-section (3) of Section 67 of the Act, impose fees on the aggregator for issuance of authorisations permitting non-transport motorcycles to undertake journeys through such aggregator, on a daily/ weekly/ fortnightly basis, as may be determined by the state government," it added. This move brings relief to bike taxi operators like Rapido and Uber, who have long operated in a legal grey area, especially in states like Karnataka, where a recent ban on bike taxis had led to widespread protests. Major industry players, including Uber and Rapido, have welcomed the move, acknowledging its potential to drive innovation, expand affordable mobility, and create new livelihood opportunities. Uber lauded the guidelines as a "forward-looking step toward fostering innovation and regulatory clarity." "Timely adoption by states will be key to ensuring uniform implementation and building much-needed predictability for all stakeholders. We commend the Ministry for its consultative and balanced approach, and remain committed to working closely with governments at all levels to support effective and inclusive rollout of the framework," an Uber spokesperson said. Rapido specifically welcomed the operationalisation of Clause 23 of the MVAG 2025. This clause permits the aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for passenger journeys, a move Rapido described as a "milestone in India's journey towards a Viksit Bharat". "By recognising non-transport motorcycles as a means of shared mobility, the Government has opened the door to more affordable transportation options for millions, especially in underserved and hyperlocal move will also help address pressing challenges such as traffic congestion and vehicular pollution, while expanding the reach of last-mile connectivity and hyperlocal delivery services," Rapido said in a statement. In 2020, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued the "Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020" under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Since 2020, India's shared mobility ecosystem has undergone rapid and significant change. The rise in demand for diverse and flexible mobility solutions including bike-sharing, introduction of electric vehicles (EVs), and auto-rickshaw rides, has widened the consumer base. The Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020 have been revised to keep the regulatory framework up to date with the developments in the motor vehicles aggregator ecosystem. The new guidelines attempt to provide a light-touch regulatory system while attending to issues of safety and security of the user and the welfare of the driver.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Government allows cab aggregators to hike peak-hour surge prices
NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday gave more headroom to vehicle aggregators such as Uber, Ola, inDrive and Rapido on surge pricing. In a set of guidelines on ride-hailing services, the road transport ministry allowed aggregators to charge up to twice the base fare, as against 1.5 times earlier, while leaving the non-peak hour charges at not less than 50% of the base fare. States have been advised to adopt the revised guidelines within three months. The idea is to ensure that consumers are not burdened during periods of surge in traffic, while ensuring that aggregators do not undercut competition by offering steep discounts. On cancellation of a booking by a driver after accepting a journey on the app, a penalty of 10% of the fare, with a cap of Rs 100, will be imposed when the ride is cancelled without a specified reason. Such a penalty will be split between the driver and the aggregator. Similarly, when a passenger cancels a booking on the app, a similar fee will be collected. Aggregators have been mandated to ensure that drivers have health and term insurance of at least Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively. The new guidelines specify that state govts will notify the base fare for different categories of vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and bike taxis, which have been brought under the ambit of the policy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo For example, while the base fare for taxi in Delhi and Mumbai are in the range of Rs 20-21 a km, in Pune it is Rs 18. In cases where the states have not fixed the base fare, aggregators have been asked to notify the base fare to the state govt. The guidelines specify no passenger will be charged for dead mileage, except when the distance for availing the ride is less than 3 km, and the fare will be charged only from the point of origin of the journey to the destination. For safety of passengers, the Centre has specified that the aggregator must ensure vehicle location and tracking devices (VLTDs) are installed in vehicles and the feed is received by it as well as linked to integrated command and control centre of the state govt. The aggregators will also conduct an annual refresher training. The guidelines also specified that drivers whose rating falls below five percentile from amongst all drivers in terms of duration of engagement with the aggregator, will compulsorily undergo refresher training every quarter. If such drivers fail to do so, they won't be allowed to continue through the aggregator. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
11 hours ago
- Mint
Govt clears bike taxis, but Rapido, Uber must wait for state green light
The ministry of road transport & highways (MoRTH) has issued fresh guidelines laying out a framework for states to permit the use of non-transport (privately registered) motorcycles for passenger journeys through aggregators like Rapido, Ola, and Uber. The guidelines, issued on 1 July, said, 'The state government may allow aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for journeys by passengers as shared mobility through aggregators, resulting in reduced traffic congestion and vehicular pollution, along with providing,inter alia, affordable passenger mobility, hyperlocal delivery, and creating livelihood opportunities.' The guidelines added that states may impose fees on aggregators—daily, weekly, or fortnightly—for issuing authorisations to operate private motorcycles legally. Moreover, the guidelines specify that aggregators must ensure all onboarded drivers meet the required legal, safety, and compliance standards, including valid driving licenses, insurance, and proper vehicle condition. Legal experts say the Centre's guidelines clearly state the legal framework for permitting operations using private motorcycles, making this a policy lever that now rests entirely with state governments. 'This clause marks a significant shift in regulatory intent. For years, bike taxis have operated in a grey area, with legal uncertainties stalling growth and investment. By formally recognising the possibility of such operations under a state-authorised framework, the Centre has signalled its willingness to regularise the sector,' said Yash Joglekar, counsel, Bombay High Court. While it's not an automatic go-ahead, it clearly opens the door for bike taxis—contingent on state-level policy decisions, he added. The onus now lies on state governments to operationalize this potential. If they act swiftly, this could indeed be a turning point—bringing legitimacy, investor confidence, and improved last-mile mobility across urban India, Yoglekar said. Others added that this could be interpreted as a nod to motorcycle taxi services. Legal clearance 'This effectively opens the door for bike taxis…That's a direct nod to bike taxi services, which, until now, have operated in a legal grey zone or faced outright bans in several states,' said Raheel Patel, partner, Gandhi Law Associates. However, this clause doesn't mandate states to permit them, but gives them a clear legal footing to do so under Section 67(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act. Combined with the ability to levy fees and enforce compliance, it gives states both revenue and regulatory control—two things they previously lacked, he added. It could be a major lifeline for the sector, especially in urban areas where affordability, congestion, and last-mile connectivity are most critical, Patel said. However, for Rapido and other players, the road to operation is contingent upon each state, said Rohit Jain, managing partner, Singhania & Co. 'We welcome the decision to permit the aggregation of non-transport motorcycles for passenger are committed to supporting state governments in operationalizing this initiative in line with all stipulated guidelines,' Rapido responded in a prepared statement. Ola did not immediately respond to Mint's queries. "We welcome the release of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines (MVAG) 2025 as a forward-looking step toward fostering innovation and regulatory clarity in India's digital mobility sector," said Uber in a statement. Uber added that timely adoption by states will be key to ensuring uniform implementation and building much-needed predictability for all stakeholders. The road ahead Karnataka's blanket ban on bike taxis, which took effect on 16 June, has effectively halted Rapido's core operations in the state. Meanwhile, Maharashtra has allowed two-wheeler taxis—but only electric ones. Bike taxis account for around 50% of Rapido's total revenue, with the rest split between its auto and cab segments. For context, fares for bike taxis typically range between ₹20 and ₹50 for short distances—often half the price of auto-rickshaws and significantly lower than cab rides. Bike taxi drivers have also been protesting across Karnataka, urging the state to lift the ban and introduce an inclusive policy framework. Rapido's chief feature remains its SaaS, subscription-based model for drivers, a departure from the conventional commission-per-ride system. Interestingly, rivals Ola and Uber have also begun experimenting with similar setups. Ola rolled out the SaaS model for autos in April 2024, and Uber followed suit in February this year. Recently, Ola broadened the zero-commission model across all categories as well, Mint reported earlier.
