‘Only Rs 170 for 11 km?’ Bengaluru auto driver’s honesty stuns internet

Bengaluru: In a city like Bengaluru, where auto rides are often associated with haggling over fares, a recent experience shared by a man on Reddit has gone viral for all the right reasons. The man, who had taken an auto ride across the city, was pleasantly surprised when the driver used the meter, a rarity in Bengaluru.

The meter showed a fare of ₹166 for an 11-km journey, which was far from the inflated prices many residents often encounter. His post, which included a photo of the fare, was captioned, “Good auto drivers still exist in Bengaluru!”

The story quickly gained traction, with Reddit users expressing both surprise and joy. Many were taken aback by the notion of a driver actually using the meter, something they found increasingly rare. It prompted a wave of responses from fellow Bengalureans, who shared their own tales of exorbitant fares and the struggle to find honest drivers in the city. For some, the story brought back memories of simpler times, with one commenter recalling how, during the 1990s, an auto ride for a similar distance would cost around ₹50.

Other users took to the comments to praise the driver’s honesty, with one writing, “Hope you said thank you to the auto anna. He needs to be celebrated!” The man responded by confirming that he had indeed thanked the driver, noting that the driver didn't even ask for extra fare despite the scorching heat. He went on to highlight that the fare was fair and reasonable, unlike many other instances where commuters are charged an inflated price or forced to negotiate.

The post also sparked a sense of nostalgia among people who felt that fair auto rides had become an exception rather than the norm. One user quipped, “Bless this auto guy! Probably the only one in Bangalore using a meter,” while another cheekily asked, “When was this? 2005?” Such light-hearted comments only further illustrated the rare nature of the experience.

In a city where auto fares are often a point of contention and frustration, this simple yet genuine act of fairness stood out as a beacon of hope. The viral post has reminded people that, despite the challenges of daily commuting, good, honest auto drivers do exist, and their integrity should be acknowledged and celebrated.