'Absolute Exploitation': Bengaluru Women's Comparison On Auto Fare Sparks Debate; Furious Netizens React

A post on X by a woman from Bengaluru has reignited the debate around standard auto fares and the prices charged by cab service apps for the same auto ride.

A user named Aditi Srivastava shared two images—one showing an auto meter displaying a fare of Rs 39 for a 2.6 km journey, and the other a screenshot from an app quoting Rs 172.45 for the same distance.

Sharing the images, the woman wrote, "The price on the meter vs the price on Uber. If you don’t have your own vehicle in Bangalore, you’re screwed."

The post suggested that both fares were for the same distance, and the stark difference sparked widespread discussion online. It quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from users. While some expressed frustration over what they called "exploitation" by ride-hailing apps, others questioned the authenticity of the post, claiming they had never encountered such a steep surge.

One user commented, "True...the apps are a scam. In fact, there are no takers for Ola and Uber auto rides—only Rapido and Namma Yatri, and even there, the prices are 3 to 4 times higher."

Another user complained, "The last couple of days, Uber has been showing fares close to the meter rate, but drivers just aren’t accepting rides. Ola and Namma Yatri confirm rides because they charge Rs 50 or more extra."

However, some found the Rs 39 fare unrealistic. One user remarked, "Rs 39 isn’t nearly enough to cover transportation costs. Uber’s tariff is fair."

Another user sarcastically added, "And in this traffic, even your own vehicle gives a mileage of less than 9 kmpl."