Monday, August 9, 2010
I look forward to jamming meters on the 12th.
The way Mumbai auto and taxi drivers treat commuters is extremely irritating - refusal to accept fares, improper functioning of meters, et al.
In fact, I have been involved in several run ins myself, and the only way to beat them at their game of cheating is to threaten with a police complaint (if you are lucky to have a station nearby).
Recently, my house maid came down with malaria and had to be admitted to a hospital.
It amazed us when the taxi driver refused to take us within the hospital campus. He thought driving all the way was not a good idea and was perfectly fine with a Malaria infected, drowsy, sickly female walking all the way (~500 metres) in the rain.
I am not sure how successful this campaign will be, or, if there will be even a minuscule dent in the Union's earnings.
Yet, it's high time we made our annoyance clear.
*****
My friends in Delhi and Bengaluru ask me to thank my stars. They have been in fist fights with auto drivers and feel Mumbaikars have it easy.
Yes, I am glad we have a meter system and some semblance of sanity as far as public transportation is concerned.
Yet, that does not confer rights on auto and cab drivers to ill-treat us.
As far as I know, like doctors, these drivers have their own version of a Hippocratic Oath which they need to be reminded about.
You can find more info here.
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8 comments:
yeah, I am coming to mumbai to cover it...kudos...:D
Sid,
Check out Holy Cow!!!
With current tariff rates, I can hardly use them on any day :(
Btw nice move. Will not take auto if I am not getting late to catch my office bus ;)
@ATC - yes, current tariff rates are killing my finances. I have been meaning to get back to buses.. tomorrow seems to be a good way to begin...
And you better leave home on/before time tomorrow :)
There is just no way except a boycott. I am also waiting to see how they react once the metro is functional. As of now, its pretty much a loot.
@MWK - yes a loot sure. But here, we are also letting them know how annoying they are - working on whims and fancies and being impolite...
sure hope it works and knocks some sense in those arrogant heads!
The Mumbai autos are a bliss after seeing what Bangalore can do to you!
I like the idea to boycott the autos in Bangalore!!!!
@Magiceye - welcome to the blog. I sure hope they suffer a dent in the income tomorrow.
@Swati - Being better isn't enough. Cheating will not do. Hooliganism will have to go too!
I think its a good platform for starters. People in Bangalore could look to hold a similar strike in the coming weeks. Getting media coverage will be easy since Mumbai has already received good support.
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