Hello,

I have relocated to bangalore on 1 June 2010. Since then, I take an auto daily from Domlur to Arekere (Bannerghata Road) which is a distance of 10.8 KM and charges approx 76-80 Rs. based on traffic.
I have come across atleast 30% autos having fraudulent meters, or drivers who talk like hooligans. Since I do not know Kannada, its even more difficult understanding. (Now trying to learn the language faster)
On 22 July 2010, Auto KA 05 A 6968 driven by M.D. Raghu, licence 14219/08, took me for a ride in Koramangala on pretext of filling gas in bright morning time (around 10 AM). Since I am not very well-versed with routes in Bangalore yet, I was slightly apprehensive if this guy is cheating me. Also, stories of female passengers being molested by Auto drivers are quite common. This autodriver went much into interior of Koramangala, when I started panicking. He gathered some other auto-wallas and started screaming and hooting in Kannada.SInce I was alone and helpless, I asked him to drop me back on main road for the regular charge. Instead, he took me again through unknown routes and dropped me off at an off-road (no idea where it is) and demanded 50 Rs. The distance is not more than 30 Rs. from Domlur and since it was a stranded place, I could not argue. I paid him but noted all details. He abused a lot in Kannada (lucky tha he did not manhandle or rob me) I could get another auto from that place only after walking for a km or more and waiting for another 20-25 minutes.
This kind of behaviour from Auto wallas is really intimidating for single women like me who are finding it more unsafe and untrusted to travel in Autos alone.