The problems with auto rickshaw (‘auto’ for short) drivers in Delhi may be as old the auto service itself. At least I have had problems with them from the first day I tried hiring one. They are either overcharging or refusing to take you to the place you want to go to.

That is not to say that all auto drivers are crooks. There are some good Samaritans among them too. Though I have had several bad experiences, I had some good experiences as well.

Usually when you flag down an auto, you tell the driver where you wish to go. That gives him the opportunity to decide whether to go or not. If he decides to dump you, he has a ready made list of excuses. The most favorite among them are: He has to fill gas; the auto needs repair; he is waiting for another customer who has hired him; he is not going that side; it is time to return the auto to the owner of the auto.

Out of all the above excuses, the one that really puts me off is: I am not going that side. As if I am hiring his auto to drop him! And, another thing I have always wondered is that there is a small cube like instrument sitting in the auto...what is it meant for? The moment you flag down an auto the driver checks out where you want to go and then tells you how much he would charge to take you there. That is if you are fortunate and he is kind enough to go wherever you want to go!

What I do is very simple. I first ask him if the auto is available for hire. Usually, they are smart and they do not answer your question. They would still ask you where you want to go ignoring your question. So, I remind them that I was the one who asked the question first and that my question needs to be answered before I answer theirs’.

They are smart. You have to grant it to them. The guy who was asking as to where you want to go would suddenly realize that his auto is not okay. That it needs repair. I don’t do this in the morning. But, if someone does that to me in the evening, I climb into the auto and sit there. When the driver objects, I tell him that I have decided to go home in his auto that evening. He would tell me that repairs could take hours. I tell him I have all the time in the world. Then he would counter: why don’t I take some other auto and get it over with? I tell him that is none of his business.

A couple of times, this has worked for me. You suddenly find that the auto which needed repairs only a few minutes ago is fine. It starts the moment he inserts the key and turns on the ignition. However, I have been treated to the choicest of expletives once he collects the fare from me after dropping me.

Sometimes, it helps when you tell an auto driver that you would complain to the police. Some of them are so bold that they hardly bother.

The next week when the transport authorities start disciplining the auto drivers, you may be able to call the traffic police helpline on 23010101 and ask them to intervene. Or, you may lodge an e-mail complaint at jtcptfc@trafficpolice.nic.in or send an SMS complaint on 56767. Or send a written complaint on complaint cards in the traditional way.

According to the transport department, the permits of auto drivers may be cancelled for overcharging or refusing to go to a particular destination.

Will this have any effect on the auto drivers in Delhi? That depends on how smart the auto drivers get when these rules are implemented! That would also depend on how much initiative you are willing to take to bring him to book when the auto driver takes you for a ride!