Tips To Take Autorickshaws
If you don't have your own driver nor bike and if you are not so fond of crowded busses, auto's or rickshaws, tuk-tuks, those yellow three wheelers, are your only option.
Whereas in other cities meter rates aplly per kilometer, none of that in Chennai. Every time you wish to take an auto you'll have to bargain the price with the driver. The driver in question will try to charge more for: bad weather conditions (usually rain), heavy traffic, long way from his home, a beer after his shift, family + children, many passengers etc. Bargaining skills are absolutely required so here are some tips to get down your transportation costs.
1) Try to have an idea how far your destination is. Look on the map before going out and remember some landmarks nearby your end destination. Normal rates are approx. 6 rupees per kilometer during daytime so try to calculate the 'honest rate' and add a premium % to decide yourself how much the autodriver is ripping you off. This should result in a good guess of what the price should be.
2) Stick to the price in your head and don't hesitate when you bargain. Even if the driver says you are out of your mind, bigger is the chance he'll come driving after you when you walk away.
3) Auto's/Rickshaws on the road are usually better to catch then the ones chilling out on the side. The driving ones might be on the way back from somewhere with already some earned money and therefore more susceptible to good bargaining.
Secondly, the chilling ones on the side are slightly more likely to be drunk or smoking so you don't want to disturb them or pay them a premium to actually get their lazy ass up.
4) Don't believe a word the driver says. Heavy traffics, far away neigbourhoods, 12 hungry families to feed, petrol expensive...You'll hear it all, particularly at the end of the ride when you have to pay. Don't give in and again, stick to the bargained price.
5) Try to go by meter in a first bargaining stage. Reach for the button that is usually under the drivers seat to de-activate the meter and tell the driver he's a thief if he doesn't want to go by meter. Your knowledge of turning on the meter will impress and give you more bargaining power. If you've bargained a final fixed price, try to leave to meter on , as it will give you the honest price and more bargaining power next time you go the same direction.
