In Bengaluru, the Transport Minister has taken strong action against autorickshaw drivers and mobile apps that charge more money than the government allows. Many people in the city have complained that auto drivers and app-based autos are asking for very high fares. The Transport Minister, R. Ramalinga Reddy, called this type of overcharging as “daylight robbery.” He has now asked the transport department to cancel the permits of auto drivers who charge more than the fixed rates. The Minister also said that legal cases will be filed against such drivers who break the rules and trouble passengers with high fares.
In Bengaluru, there is a fixed fare system for autos decided by the government. According to the rules, passengers have to pay ₹30 for the first 2 kilometers of the journey. After that, the fare is ₹15 per kilometer. But many drivers do not follow these rules. App-based autos, like Rapido and others, have been charging much higher rates. Recently, a passenger had to pay ₹184 for just 4 kilometers, which means more than ₹45 per kilometer. This is much higher than the ₹15 rate fixed by the government for auto rides in Bengaluru.
The problem became worse after the Karnataka government banned bike taxis like Rapido bike services on June 16. After the ban, many people started using autos again, and the demand increased very fast. Taking advantage of this situation, some auto drivers and mobile apps started charging very high fares. Many people posted their complaints on social media and shared screenshots showing that the fares were much higher than the allowed rates. This made the government take strict action to control the overcharging problem in the city.
The Transport Minister has clearly told the transport department to cancel the permits of those auto drivers who are caught overcharging. Not only that, but criminal cases will also be filed against them. The Minister also said that passengers can share screenshots from mobile apps as proof when drivers or apps charge more than the fixed fare. The department will use these proofs to take action against those who break the rules and make travel difficult for the public in Bengaluru city.
Earlier, the transport department and police also took action against auto drivers for various violations. They fined more than 1,000 drivers in just one day for charging extra money, refusing rides, parking in wrong places, and other offenses. The total amount of fines collected in one day was nearly ₹5 lakh. Even after these actions, the problem of overcharging continued in the city. Many people were still facing problems while booking autos through apps or on the road, especially after the ban on bike taxis.
The Minister called the overcharging by auto drivers and mobile apps an “unforgivable crime” against the people. He said that no one has the right to cheat passengers and ask for unfair fares. The government has made fare rules after considering the needs of both drivers and passengers. But when drivers or apps ignore these rules and charge higher prices, they break the trust of the public and the law of the state. This is why strong action is now being taken against those who do not follow the official fare system.
There have been many examples of high fares shared by passengers in Bengaluru recently. In one case, a person shared that they were charged ₹184 for traveling only 4 kilometers in an app-based auto. Another complaint showed a fare of ₹100 for traveling just 1 kilometer. Many such cases were reported on social media platforms like X and Facebook, where people posted screenshots of the overcharged fares. These incidents made the Transport Minister very angry, and he decided that strict measures were needed to protect passengers.
The Transport Minister said that even app-based autos have to follow the government’s fare rules. They cannot charge extra money from passengers by adding hidden charges or extra commissions. The High Court has allowed apps to add only 10 percent commission and 5 percent GST on top of the government-fixed fare. But many apps have been ignoring these rules and charging much higher rates. This is illegal, and the government will now make sure that apps and drivers follow the law properly in Bengaluru.
The Minister also instructed the transport department to use new ways to catch those who are overcharging. Passengers have been asked to share clear screenshots showing the fare details if they are charged more than the fixed price. The department will accept these screenshots as proof and take legal action. Permits of the drivers can be canceled, and apps that allow overcharging may also face strict legal penalties. The government wants to make sure that every person traveling in the city can do so at a fair and reasonable price.
The issue of overcharging by autos in Bengaluru is not new. It has been happening for many years. Many passengers often complain that drivers refuse to take rides, ask for extra money, or switch off the meter. This creates a lot of inconvenience, especially for people who need to travel short distances or late at night. With the rise of app-based auto services, people expected fair pricing, but now even apps are charging more than allowed. That is why the government is forced to take tough steps to stop this problem.
The Minister believes that strict punishment is the only way to control this issue. He said that drivers who cheat passengers must face the cancellation of their permits, and they should not be allowed to operate on the roads. Similarly, mobile apps that do not follow the fare rules will be punished by the government. The Transport Department has been asked to run regular checks, collect complaints, and ensure that drivers and apps follow the proper fare system. Only then can passengers travel without fear of being cheated.
The Bengaluru Traffic Police and transport officials will also carry out special drives to check the autos operating on the roads. They will look at the meters, verify the fares, and take action against those who refuse to follow the rules. The police have been directed to act quickly on public complaints and impose fines on drivers who demand more money. The government is serious about stopping overcharging, and drivers must follow the law to avoid losing their permits or facing legal trouble in the city.
The public has welcomed the decision of the Transport Minister. Many people in Bengaluru have faced problems because of high fares, especially after the bike taxi ban. With this new crackdown, they hope that the fares will now become reasonable and affordable. People expect both auto drivers and mobile apps to follow the government’s rules and provide honest services. The government also plans to monitor apps regularly to make sure they do not allow unfair pricing, and action will be taken against those who break the law.
Passengers have been advised to be careful while booking autos and to always check the fare before starting their journey. If they find that the fare is more than the allowed price, they can report the matter to the transport department with proof. The authorities will then take steps to punish the guilty drivers or apps. The Minister has promised that action will be taken quickly, and the public should not hesitate to complain if they face overcharging or any other problem while traveling in the city.
In the coming weeks, the transport department will also run awareness campaigns to educate both passengers and drivers about the correct fare system. Drivers will be reminded that they must follow the rules, and passengers will be told how to report overcharging cases. The government wants to create a fair transport system where no one is cheated, and people can travel safely and comfortably. The Minister said that strict action is needed to control this problem, and the department will work hard to protect the public from unfair fares.
The problem of overcharging in Bengaluru became more serious after bike taxis were banned, as many people had no other option but to use autos. Some drivers took advantage of this situation and started charging more. But with the new orders from the Transport Minister, this practice will not be tolerated anymore. The government is determined to make sure that passengers are treated fairly and do not have to face high fares. With the cooperation of the public and strict action by the authorities, this issue can be solved soon.
The transport department is now fully prepared to implement the orders of the Minister. They will check autos regularly, monitor mobile apps, and take action against those who do not follow the fare rules. The department has asked the public to support this effort by reporting any overcharging incidents. With strong laws, active enforcement, and public cooperation, the government hopes to bring an end to the problem of unfair fares in Bengaluru. The Minister has made it clear that those who cheat passengers will face serious consequences.