News

No more fraud auto fares: Thanks to Latlong
By SiliconIndia   |   Thursday, 12 November 2009, 02:28 Hrs   |    103 Comments
 Print Email
No more fraud auto fares: Thanks to Latlong
Bangalore: In a city like Bangalore several commuters depend on the autorickshaws to travel from one place to another, but not always do they get to pay the correct fare as sometimes they are demanded extra money by the drivers. Now with a technology developed by Onze Technologies,a location based services firm, a commuter can verify the fares demanded by the drivers with an automatic SMS telling what they should be paying for the distance traveled. The company is led by four former Infosys engineers - Sudarshan H.S., Pavaman Athani, Sairam Rajamani and Rahul R.S.

Using this service called 'Latlong' people can text message the area from which they start their journey with their destination, to receive an instant message on the fare they must pay, reports Deccan Chronicle. "Latlong provides information on the approximate autorickshaw fare and the distance in kilometers. This allows the user to check the exact distance travelled and confirm if the meter reading is accurate. The service has been a hit. We have received nearly 50,000 SMSes so far," says Sudarshan, CEO of Onze, the firm which has come out with the concept.

So successful has been the service that the Onze is now looking at launching Latlong in other cities as well. "We will be launching the service in Chennai soon," says Sudarshan. For using this service the commuters need to send their message to 9008890088.

The company who was a part of Siliconindia Bangalore StartupCity, won the best mobile startup award.

Write your comment now
 
Reader's comments(103)
1: Hi,according to me this is "without box"concept.Excellent And appreciate this.But this concept unable to cover all the parameters. Let me give you a classical example. Let say u have started your journey from jayanagar3rd block and you are going to MG road(Manipal Centre).There is two ways to reach Manipal Centre:1)Via RV Road,Corporation circle,kasturba road and cubbon road.2)via Rv road,double road,residency road. According to me 1st option is more expensive than 2nd option. So nw tell me How this concept will help to customers to know the exact fare. In nutshell, this concept can only be success with the help of police.
Posted by:Amit Jain - 16 Nov, 2009
2:
Hi Amit, the service will give auto fare along with which route it used to compute the fare. No multiple options for route. It only uses one popular/optimum route due to SMS's length limitations.
Sud Replied to: Amit Jain - 20 Nov, 2009
3:
Unless Govt compel the autodriver to provide Calibrated Tamper Proof Digital meter this problem will continue......
Brainy Replied to: Amit Jain - 16 Nov, 2009
4: As per DGP Dr V Guruprasad a passenger should note down the auto reg no and lodge a complaint with ACP, Traffic. in my opinion this might not redress us immediatley but further action by the traffic police should deter the drivers.
Posted by:ramachandra - 16 Nov, 2009
5: It is a great effort indeed but once we know that they are charging more what do we do?
Posted by:sumana - 15 Nov, 2009
6: Its a great idea of inventing a real time product like this.But there will be some drawbacks in this idea.For example, if an autowallah uses any shortcut to avoid traffic then the passenger has to pay extra amount than the original rate. Anyway i appriciate the team members who all involved in inventing this product.
"CONGRATULATIONS"
Posted by:Goutham - 14 Nov, 2009
7:
well this is simple . Pay which ever is less ( auto fare or latlong suggested fare.This will reduce the atrocities done by the autowallah,s. some other points for implementation. 1. will the autowallah accept this suggested fare. 2.Does the latlong fare has acceptance legally ? Inspite of all this this is really a great invention.
SRK Replied to: Goutham - 15 Nov, 2009
8: as an mnc employee, i had been to india especially to bangalore many times. whenever i depend on autorikhaws, either i was harassed or exploited by the culture less drivers. government officials also same. both are greedy. if anything can do using LATLONG it would be great.
Posted by:dev thomas - 14 Nov, 2009
9:
Exactly..these thugs abuse the Govt weakness and encash.In Blr police will never catch auto's ,jump the signal,make hevoc in city but we have to live with it..they do not go one our need rather we should ask which direction Auto is heading..and the price whatever they demand..crazy....Govt scared because of vote bank
Ganesh Replied to: dev thomas - 18 Nov, 2009
10: Good Guys .....
But the drivers all have some amount calculated in their mind with distance you travel and the cross roads which they use to avoid traffic and so on ,
and if the meter is not fraud also u will be ending up in argument with him,
Be careful about it ........
Posted by:King - 14 Nov, 2009
11: This will just add to frustration as Autowala will not accept that fare and you will feel bad by knowing much amount you are losing every time !
Posted by:Munwar - 14 Nov, 2009
12: no use of this service man! almost everyone already knows that the autowallahs are charging them more.we don't need to know the fares. just find out some solutions by which these bad auto drivers would be restricted from charging us a monster. or else simply govt should do something
Posted by:saurabh - 14 Nov, 2009
13:
Thanks to such a nice service of knowing the fares between 2 places, but these auto wallas need to be fixed by the govt, they penly say , we bribe the govt officials and adjust the meter speed (make it move fast) and get tat sealed again by the Govt officials after bribing them. so the whole system is corrupt . but this service atleast gives us chance to know what the exact fare is ...thanks guys for inventing this .
Rohit Replied to: saurabh - 15 Nov, 2009
14:
Digital meter should run on magnetic pickup (Eg like Car Engine RPM meter) which is having full tamper proof will resolve this issue. where Govt should impose this law ( Eg: How Govt imposed Gas is Compelsory for All Auto's same way they have to compel which is possible!)
Braiy Replied to: saurabh - 15 Nov, 2009
15: Latlong is just a enabler not a fix all solution. "It provides you the fair price for the distance you travel" THAT'S IT. You can use the service if you find is useful, or not use it. Nobody is forcing you to use the service, if you don't find merit in using it.

Atleast have some courtesy of appreciating the idea, and the initiative of the team in approaching for a enabling solution to the problem. Its easy to sit on the fence and criticize everybody else.

PS: I have no affiliations with the team developing the product. Its just that I found the response of the audience disgusting.
Posted by:Ashwin - 14 Nov, 2009
16: This will definitely help the Chennai crowd. We are the most affected by the Autowallahs.

Thanks Guys.
Posted by:Prashant - 14 Nov, 2009
17:
Dear Prashant, do u think the Chennai Autowallahs accept ur fare, just impossible. Its all lumpsum amt wat they demand, if u like avail the auto services otherwise u wish. Just for ur info in Chennai though part of the Mint Street is officially one way it is just not followed and the Traffic cops just ignore them. Likewise there is another street by name GN Street and Godwon Street though they are one way the rule is never followed. Cops just ignore the drivers. R u aware of this? So were is the question of Latlong being useful to Chennaites. However congrats to the INFOSYS ex employee team who have devised this, all praise to them. It's indeed a useful tool.
Sunku
Sunku S Sundaram Replied to: Prashant - 16 Nov, 2009
18:
Correct. Chennai has enormous amount of cheater autowallas. I have experienced that and the autowallah was asking for 20 rupees per metre in central chennai. there is no one to ask them and people can't argue with them also coz they will have a unity. really it is a very good attempt so that atleast we will come to know what exactly will be our bill. Now a days in Bangalore also so many auto drivers have made some corrections in Meters, which will read excess. i.e, instead of rs. 50/- meter will show Rs. 65/- meter will run fast. we cannot argue with drivers because they will be shameless creatures. ready for anything sort of people.
I really do appreaciate the attempt made by the guys. C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
Abhay Replied to: Prashant - 14 Nov, 2009
19: this is really coool and very helpful for the people who travel by auto rickshaws every day.Is there any plans for starting this in Hyderabad ?
Posted by:kamal - 13 Nov, 2009
20: I myself used this test service and found it accurate!
Posted by:elitevenkat.kashyap - 13 Nov, 2009
21: This helps a lot to professionals who have to visit the city for a couple of weeks and do not know the city too well... gives you a relieve from standing in the long queues of pre-paid auto or taxi booths...

Great work done Onze...
Posted by:Amit Kumar - 13 Nov, 2009
22: Really good relief for Bangalore public. came across lot of cheater autoriskwa in Banglore. Effort should be intiated o let the public know about this service.Best of luck to Onze
Posted by:Nripa Chetry - 13 Nov, 2009
23: I think this is the best initiative. Now people will not be looted anymore by auto rikshaw drivers. Good luck to the mentors of this service.
Posted by:Dhaval - 13 Nov, 2009
24: gr8 work by u all,
but wat i suggest is make a software which will make them accept wat u give.
problem not only lies in the meter but the head too.
most just refuse to use the meter.
wat to do thn.
Posted by:kumar - 13 Nov, 2009
25: Thanks to Latlong you have saved us from the critical situation Finding Auto is big job here in Bangalore and paying them the fair what they ask is another most critical thing, atleast we can fag or booze with the remaining money now lol

Narthan
Posted by:Narthan Nachappa - 13 Nov, 2009
26: Great job people....
Posted by:Gopal Jindgar - 13 Nov, 2009
27: Great Job for Bangalore !
When are you folks starting the same in Chennai.

Chennai is number one city for Autorickshaw frauds.
As compared to bangalore , No one operates the meter at all.
Its all bargaining stuff .
Please keep me informed as I am ready to volunteer or Free campaign for anything in Chennai .

regards
Venugopal
9003022458
Posted by:Venugopal - 13 Nov, 2009
28: Guys! distance mesured on Latlong is nothing but Air Distance (which is straight line). Actual road drive distance will have a lot of difference than the Latlong.
Why not Onze rework upon?
Posted by:Brainy - 13 Nov, 2009
29:
latlong provides actual driving distance and not air distance. You can check that
neetha Replied to: Brainy - 13 Nov, 2009
30:
The distance would also depend on the route taken. How do you allow for that?
RRam Replied to: neetha - 14 Nov, 2009
31:
Use GPS instrument and confirm which is correct!
Brainy Replied to: neetha - 13 Nov, 2009
32: Great idea, great concepts.Really Onze guys comes up with solution of a common issue in very different way.Really guys good thoughts But wat i think is that indian culture is not enough mature to adapt these kind of thing rite nw.When indian structure is well formed as a developed country then These type of concepts sre good enough to implement.
Posted by:Sanjay R Jain - 13 Nov, 2009
33: It wont be of any use. Because mostly auto rickshaws take the round about path to reach the destination. They will make excuses like, they didn't know any other way to reach the destination. I remember one of my friends who had taken an auto from BTM to Forum Mall in koramangala (long time back) and it costed her 60 Rs. Only due to the round about way the auto's take....
Posted by:Animesh - 13 Nov, 2009
34: This is very help ful if you can implement it in a right way and takes time to implement it.
Dont say it is difficult and impossible. Just do this way. You can bargain wiht autowala with the correct amount. Imagine a situation like no body is ready to pay more than the latlong price then the autowala's reduce and come to latlong price one day. It may takes couple of months but if every body is aware abt latlong and we can get positive result from this. Please comment on this.
Posted by:kiran - 13 Nov, 2009
35: Instead of thining that Auto wala accepts the charge suggested by latlong, the user is getting some info on the travel. So that he can bargain with Auto wala as if he is well aware of the route. Girls can make sure that they are going in the right way as the latlong suggested(in some cases). A s/w can help only this much but it can not give 100% fool proof solution for a problem. Please dont speak negatively about this initiative. Just give new ideas to improve it.
Posted by:Akbar - 13 Nov, 2009
36: I see a lot of criticisms down the loop. Onze has come up with something which is useful and just for you guys to know how much your cheated by the auto guys. Its upto you to fight for your right or give up paying more.

Imagine 10 yrs back, how many people in India had a mobile phone and compare the ratio with now. If we dont encourage innovations, our nation's growth will get stagnated.

So guys, atleast if you dont encourage, please dont discourage any one.
Posted by:Kirupa - 13 Nov, 2009
37: Software does not work for longer days, its only for tech guys! think about for common man! even many people like senior citizen, students, village people does not have cell phone! Better way to think govt has to take a strict decision on Autoricksaw fare implemeting tamper proof meters.
Possible only providing Digital Meter operated by magnetic pickups! meter should work on Sensors magnetic flux eg: In a car RPM are measured on same principal. Presently even though meter are working on digital which is gear driven connected by cable. here gear wheels are tamepered if one count in gear wheel is reduesed or increased rotation of the meter also differs which is not in control of anybody.
In case magnetic pickup device fails meter will not work. Driver has to maintain it!
I suggest digital meter with magnetic pickup operated meter will solve this kind of problem.
Posted by:Brainy - 12 Nov, 2009
38: What is the use of this, first of all, how can you make these auto walas to agree, will these rowdy autowalas with so many unions agrees... can any traffic cop help you out ... stupid concept which you again need to pay from your pocket for SMS, looks like that Onze doest have any business to do in market so they are coming up with such a stupid idea.
Posted by:Vihari Sharma - 12 Nov, 2009
39: What if the auto takes a different route and the route used by the software is different.
Posted by:Abdul - 12 Nov, 2009
40: The fact is "social problems cannot be solved by technical solutions" (not my quote but from praja.in). Just by creating ID cards, software or systems social problems will not be solved. It needs society, community and individual to be solved. Like saying putting cameras will do traffic enforcement, e-governance will solve corruption and many more. This is marketing buzzwords that IT companies use to sell their products or solutions. I work in one of them and am smart enough to understand what works and what doesn't, whats wishful thinking and whats pragmatic. Techies should stick to writing programs that do heavy calculations or automates repetitive tasks or work-flows and leave the real work for humans. A system/solution/software can never ever replace a human.
Posted by:Falak Ahmed - 12 Nov, 2009
41: Its a better business idea, but in practical it is not much useful.

You can pull the horse to the pond, you can not make it to drink the water. this is the situation while you know the exact distance and price and demand the auto-wala. do you think he will agree for that price? Unnecessarily you will get scoldings from them, is that good?

Then, What is the best thing that this SMS based software has when compared to the GOOGLE SMS based services?

Why can't the techies be more innovative, just like centralizing all auto's details and with a single SMS of the auto number you can get Auto-Wala's information and substantially notifying abt the travel to the software, this can be more secured than knowing abt the distance and price.

Better is with BMTC GPS system, if user is waiting for a bus with a single SMS he could know the time of arrival of the bus.
Posted by:Dinakar - 12 Nov, 2009
42: NO USE OF SUCH SOFTWARE. iT DOESN'T HAVE ANY MEANING. eVEN AT MORNING 6.00AM OR AT EVENING AFTER 8.30PM NO AUTO RICKSHAWS ARE READY TO COME TO WHAT EVER PLACE. THERE IS NO SYSTEM IN BANGALORE TO CONTROL THAT AND JUST A MONTH BEFORE I HAVE TO PAY Rs 300/- TO TRAVEL MS RAMAYA HOSPITAL TO MALLESWARAM AT MORNING 4AM
Posted by:DR.PILLAI - 12 Nov, 2009
43: One question. Do we have to send the sms to a premium number? i.e. a 5 digit code which itself charges 3/- or 6/- per SMS. That would be pretty stupid of a guy to send a 6/- SMS for a 4km travel worth 30/-. Instead of the autowala, you end up paying someone else :D
Posted by:Anuj Rathi - 12 Nov, 2009
44:
Its a 10 digit number - 9008890088. Its a local bangalore number. It will be your regular sms charge. Could be 5 ps, 50 ps or free. Will depend on your sms plan
neetha Replied to: Anuj Rathi - 13 Nov, 2009
45:
you have to pay only local sms charge. if in your scheme it is free then you have to pay nothing. i have already used this service.
Vikas Replied to: Anuj Rathi - 13 Nov, 2009
46:
Dude stop giving them ideas !!!
Falak Ahmed Replied to: Anuj Rathi - 12 Nov, 2009
47: This is completely stupid.... this has lot of problems in practical implementation.
How could the infosys guys think that the auto drivers will agree watever we say... they too ve brain and they also have association and everything for their support.. Suppose if the auto drivers say that they wont accept this change at all , then wat is the use of this software...
I think this would ve been a mini-project of some infy guy in college.
I didnt discourage their idea... but we should ve been able to impplement it. otherwise the software and the efforts behind it will go vain.

The simplest solution for this autorickshaw fleecing problem could be : just implement the ticket system. just as the same as the one in our gov buses.

Why the techies think as if they can do anything with sofware. always there are simple solutions for everything.

Use the valuable time and brain in something that needs more attention at this stage eg.security
Posted by:AJAY MANOJ KUMAR - 12 Nov, 2009
48: People who know the distance also land up paying more money just because the autorickshaw drivers refuse to go where the commuter has to go. Do u all have some software for that as well. . ? ? No doubt as a software its really a good one for someone who is new to bangalore(only if they are aware of this software) just to know the distance part, but its of no use since these rickshaw drivers wont go if they dont want to or unless you pay them the price they demand.
Posted by:Vishal - 12 Nov, 2009
49:
I completely agree with Vishal.......Well said Vishal
kriss Replied to: Vishal - 12 Nov, 2009
50: Do onze think auto drivers will accept Sms as ISO standard.....?Funny......Auto drivers are human beings not machines to accept what ever you say...... :)
Posted by:kriss - 12 Nov, 2009
51: Why you are behind those auto guys..Use that talent and technology for something useful need.....
Posted by:Santosh - 12 Nov, 2009
52:
Are u an auto driver?
Debasish Replied to: Santosh - 12 Nov, 2009
53:
ha ha ha ha
deepak Replied to: Debasish - 13 Nov, 2009
54:
Woh.. dude, you are getting too senti about the whole stuff... they aren't behind auto-guys, they are behind fraudulent auto-guys... and I believe they too rob you ! what you can say is they should also innovate on other fraudulent people...
Yogendra Replied to: Santosh - 12 Nov, 2009
55: ok. we get the correct fare from the application. Now wat? How do u make the auto drivers agree to that? they never agree to put the meter. If they readily agree to put the meter, then you can be sure that the meter is tampered. thats how blore auto-walas are. they are cut throats in day light and blood drinkers in odd hours. At night and early morning hours, they ask double the charge they ask during the daytime(which actually is not the right fare).
Posted by:Heera - 12 Nov, 2009
56: REALLY REALLY POOR CONCEPT. I CAN'T BELIEVE INFOSYS TECHIES ARE SO POOR IN THINKING. THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL AT ALL. GOD BLESS INFOSYS.
Posted by:Kuntesh - 12 Nov, 2009
57:
Yeah, I agree with you......at first, they need to develop the applications which check the corruption level of high profile.........just enter the name and get the information about how depth he entangled in corruption.........enjoying with public money.
Shambhu Replied to: Kuntesh - 12 Nov, 2009
58: All of us or majority of us agree that there is a corrupt system of autos out there, which we face daily without knowing what to do. People who are in IT, can think of how we can use the technology to make such a system, which will counter the problem in such a way that, people with wrong intentions are forced to follow the rules. People are very knowledgeable about the distance and fares, but what is missing is some regulation which makes the auto drivers to follow the rules honestly.
Posted by:Manish Kothiwale - 12 Nov, 2009
59: There is a much simpler solution ... "Receipts". Imagine if meters in auto rickshaws dispense a receipt containing the name of the driver, registration no, distance traveled and the price, we would have an account of how much we paid with all the other details.

As of now there is no account of the money they demand and we pay... I'm one among the many who cried fowl and finally got a response from BTRAC (Bangalore Traffic Review and Action Commitee). But I tried a few times to reach them on the numbers given and there was no response. Here's my blog on the same - http://johnmanoah.blogspot.com/2009/04/bangalore-autorickshaw-complaints.html

There are a few corrupt officials who are getting royally attended so that no initiatives reach completion and benefit the public. Also, traffic police don't seem to bother much about the misbehaving auto drivers. Imagine if a few responsible officers act as commoners and punish irresponsible drivers, the drivers may have a fear that they are being watched.

mmm... I'm waiting for a revival.
Posted by:John Manoah - 12 Nov, 2009
60: This spplication could be at most a verifying thing and nothing else.

A better way could be some chip installed in the autometer itself and relaying the position to a centralized database and getting the approximate distance travelled and rate to be charged on reaching the destination.
Posted by:siv m - 12 Nov, 2009
61: NO software can stop us giving more fare. As the auto driver wont agree to the software and start shouting. Sooner or later you have to pay him what he is asking for.
Posted by:Anirban - 12 Nov, 2009
62: There is already an innovative service called Suruk (developed by group of students from IIITB) is available. I have seen it in mobile summit held in Nimhans convention center. Thats a great idea. That application proves to be more useful comparing to this.
Posted by:Prasanna - 12 Nov, 2009
63:
The app can be downloaded on http://www.suruk.com/ try it. I am already using it and its awesome.
swapnil mishra Replied to: Prasanna - 02 Jul, 2010
64: This is a very useful solution.By storing the 3rd party verified fairs for popular trips this can be a win-win deal for both.
Posted by:gkb - 12 Nov, 2009
65: Well congratulations to the team that has conceptualized this. But adding to all the woes that have been expressed below, you are talking about point to point. But in Bangalore, knowing the Bangalore traffic condition, one does not travel from point A to point B on one particular route. You are forced to explore alternate route every time and this actually increases you commute time. What if the auto driver, say he is genuine for once, has taken a circuitous route and actually demands the right fare and we end up fighting with him over it. The stats here show only on the application side but what has been the end user experience after he received the right information on the fare?
Posted by:Manoj Bajpe - 12 Nov, 2009
66:
Morover many times we get stuck in signals which the driver will claim fuel drain is not measured in the end to end calculating technology, waiting in between the travel at some points, backtracking within the streets if you are searching for a new address, sudden changes in one-way and traffic diversions ............etc etc..will all be advantageous for the drivers to claim the sms' cannnot be relied.
Benu Replied to: Manoj Bajpe - 12 Nov, 2009
67: I dont think this will help people anyways. Ex: If a person hairs an auto from say b/w J.B nagar and KR road. J.B nagar main road is 2km stretch and KR road is around 4-6 km stretch. Now the fare may have divertion upto 10/- Rs.
Posted by:Mahesh - 12 Nov, 2009
68:
I agree with Mahesh, distthis absolutely not going help us, as the fare is caluclated on distance covered from one place to another place. While smsing, we are not how much we have traveled in the auto. Yhough we have rough distance caluclation, this is going to serve the purpose. It would be better to GPS kind of system in rickshaw in which passenger can know the fare before boarding rickshaw.
Rajesh Replied to: Mahesh - 12 Nov, 2009
69: It is not really worth having this option.If you give the details with matrix of all the disatance its easy to find the rates no need to SMS,Somebody earning money from sombodies madness.It should not be accepted.Government should make appropriate action on this,i am not having the guts to fight with auto drivers.
Posted by:charley - 12 Nov, 2009
70: Hai Sudarshan,

The improve the system we dont want to argue with the autodrivers, if they are using a meter or flat rate. We just want to one thing.Every autos have to registered to tariff authority so while sending the sms , make sure the auto number with tat, so the sms has to reply for both(drivers and passanger)for the displaying the tariff. If its not followed just send a sms to corruption department of RTO . If the RTO gets more sms from the noticed auto number if the y are following the tariff authority, the auto has to be ceased.
Posted by:Riaz - 12 Nov, 2009
71: Hi Manish, I agree... with your statement "We should try to build such a machine or meter which cannot be tampered"
Posted by:ish - 12 Nov, 2009
72: I agree... with your statement "We should try to build such a machine or meter which cannot be tampered"
Posted by:ish - 12 Nov, 2009
73: Great concept, great technology!
But unfortunately the problem of convincing the auto diriver that you are 'right' and his auto meter is 'wrong', without getting into a fight, still remains. The solution perhaps, can be found by getting the law, the police and the mass media to endorse this technology.
Posted by:Girish - 12 Nov, 2009
74: Its wonderfull man...congarts LatLong & thanks to SiliconIndia service..
Posted by:varish - 12 Nov, 2009
75: hi
Posted by:Varun - 12 Nov, 2009
76: WHY ONE SHOULD SEND A MSG AND FIND OUT FARE ON MOBILE WHEN THE FARE LIST IS AVAILABLE WITH AUTO RIKSHAW OWNERS APPROVED BY THE RESPECTIVE RTO'S.CAN YOU PLEASE HIGHLIGHT THIS POINT
Posted by:CHAND BABU BAIRATHI,JAIAPUR RAJASTHAN - 12 Nov, 2009
77:
need some more better, which is develop by them is good but still need to improve some cases like auto drivers may not agree with your SMS they may come for fight also. Need to approve from GOVT also.
rao Replied to: CHAND BABU BAIRATHI,JAIAPUR RAJASTHAN - 12 Nov, 2009
78:
In Bangalore, the issue is that the fare list is not available. I am not sure what kind of fare list is available in Jaipur, but here you have no way to know how many kilometers the person has traveled. So with this service it will be easy for the commuters to understand the distance (approx) they have traveled and will pay the fare accordingly.

Good usage of the existing technology. Kudos.
im_xboss Replied to: CHAND BABU BAIRATHI,JAIAPUR RAJASTHAN - 12 Nov, 2009
79: The application is good.. But I could not see any improvement from the end user.

I used to travel from my home to office in autos(daily) - The distance is exactly 10kms.. But still, it shows different fares in different autos. Even though i know the distance and the actual fare, i cannot fight with them about the wrong meter fare.

But still i appreciate your application as it works as a good initiative to implement/add more features so that it ultimately helps the end user.

Congrats and All the Best..

- Kranti
Posted by:Kranti - 12 Nov, 2009
80: Hi Sud,

Congrats to you all, its a pretty cool thing. Keep adding more features :). Or just make it an iPhone app kind of thing.

Regards,
Ashish (X-Terayon)
Posted by:Ashish - 12 Nov, 2009
81: Awesome. Now, this how you make technology reach the common man. The next step is to integrate this with the meter in the auto to avoid discrepancy in readings and implement this system ASAP in Chennai.
Good job guys..
Posted by:Ramesh - 12 Nov, 2009
82:
Ramesh,
Thank you. This works in Chennai too. For example sms "nanganallur to paris" to 90088 90088 from a Chennai or a TN mobile number.
Sud Replied to: Ramesh - 12 Nov, 2009
83:
All right now what happens even if u know the right fare and the auto drive still demands more? The ideal thing would be integrate this to the near by police station in-case of issue.
ram Replied to: Sud - 12 Nov, 2009
84: This is good, but I did not understand what is its use to the common man. The auto drivers meters are all fraud and tampered, if the meter says 100 Rs at the destination and if the SMS had said 75, then what do you expect the people to do, fight with the auto driver. The situation would be worse because the auto drivers in Bangalore are absolutely idiots, rash and sometimes very third class. If I start the argument, 20 auto drivers will come in support of auto driver who had taken me to the destination.

We should try to build such a machine or meter which cannot be tampered. Because most people in Bangalore know that distance from a particular point A to point B is say 15 kms. But everytime they travel the distance in different autos, they get different charges.
Posted by:Manish Kothiwale - 12 Nov, 2009
85:
I agree ....
Saurav Replied to: Manish Kothiwale - 12 Nov, 2009
86:
I agree with you Manish. Bangalore needs better policing not a website that will not do any help. I had faced situation that the Auto Drivers asking for Rs 100 for distance of less that Rs. 40. If you argue with them, thatz the worst thing you will do in your life. These Auto drivers are no 1 idiots and the biggest frauds in the world. Not generalizing though more than 70% are like that. If you seek the help of Bangalore police, you will find them supporting the Auto drivers. You cant expect decent behaviour from any Policemen in bangalore.
Bangalore needs a complete Overhaul of the police system. They are not for the people, their priority is to fill their own pockets with bribe.
AuF Replied to: Saurav - 12 Nov, 2009
87:
Guys.. let us not make this issue as a national issue. We all have discussed and given our views, which will make these guys more clear about their invention. Instead of making us to fight with autowalas let them give suggestion to Govt to make more pre-paid booth at different places to help the people to commute.
Sanjeev Replied to: AuF - 12 Nov, 2009
88: This is a pretty good solution developed by the techies, it can help commuters in a big way..Because most of the times the drivers are very arrogant and demand more than the actual fare using manipulated meters..
Posted by:Salim - 12 Nov, 2009
89:
This software is not for controlling the emotions of the drivers. watever rate they demand we ve to give because they are the service providers and we are supposed to pay them. if ur not ok with the rate they demand, just simply dont board it. thats it....
how can the drivers wont agree with you just by seeing an sms.
Even this can be misused if the autodriver is not educated enough to understand this logic. however if the autodrivers dont agree with you, there is no other way except to pay them what they demand.
AJAY MANOJ KUMAR Replied to: Salim - 12 Nov, 2009
90:
The best way to use this system is the commuters have to get the approximate rate before even boarding the auto. So that it would reduce the heat exchanges or rash behaviours
VG Venkatesan Replied to: Salim - 12 Nov, 2009
91:
I really agree with Venkatesan here. Agreed that the auto drivers are really rash and they have no moral as such (most of them), but then if you already have the approximate price at hand and negotiate this with them before boarding, will help reduce the issues later.

im_xboss
im_xboss Replied to: VG Venkatesan - 12 Nov, 2009
92:
Where do auto drivers at chennai use the meters.. they only demand flat :-) Corruption everywhere so we cant raise this to anyone too..
Viji Replied to: VG Venkatesan - 12 Nov, 2009
93:
When people start realisinz that they need to go by the meter though it may mean exchange of few arguments. It is helps one and the society.
Rudra Replied to: Viji - 13 Nov, 2009
94:
Is it possible to organise small group meetings with Auto/Taxi drivers in all India cities and slwoly correct the misbehavior. I think if we do this - kind of Munnabhai technique, things would work. It is a long drawn process, but we have thousands of educated IT/ITES and other sector young professionals and if they take this into their mind, it is possible. How much time they spend on facebook, tweet etc....why cannot they thing something like this......

Bala
Cosmic Replied to: Viji - 12 Nov, 2009
95:
We also need to understand the kind of harsh environment these drivers work and dont forget our corrupt system that is definately heavy on their pockets.They shell out huge for Fittness certificates from RTO's a monthly hafta to the police for entering and operating through the prepaid stands in the bus stands and railway stations.The cops pays for his retention and transfers so there is no end to it.If and only if our political people were good all would have a stress free life.
karthik Replied to: Cosmic - 12 Nov, 2009
96:
Hi to all

I hope we should Chalk out a plan to execute it Iwas been on the receving end for several times let me give u a live example Istay at Begumpet and my office is at Himaytnagar genuine autofare is 54 Rs ( accoring to New system) most of the time i used to pay extra amount like 74 66 whenever I questioned any auto driver I use to get the same reply in a polite manner stating as " I Had put the Autometere in front of your eyes" I had no words to replay it one day I asked a genuine autodriver who charged me 54 rs he just replied me that it is our "trade secret"

I hope we will get support from Govt officials

Ricky Replied to: Cosmic - 12 Nov, 2009
97:
Its really good one, ya offcrs auto drivers wont agree I know, but using this we will get to know approximate money to give so we can aviod getting cheated more. . like if autowala asks me 100 rs for one km distance but this facility may tell me to give omly 10 rs, by this ll get to know some average price n give according to that, offcrs it will help. . what u say
siddeshwaraswamy.A.M Replied to: Cosmic - 12 Nov, 2009
98:
@ entire post.. let government officials know about dys, n attempt a suicide..

" what was wrong with the original meter that is thr in every auto to calculate the exact fare .. huh?? "

if a 'auto-wala' agrees to go by meter, no issue wud ever occur.. like:

@ people who said abt software tracking routes
@ people who said abt auto-walas agreeing/ disagreeing etc..

So the conclusion is smthin like dys:

Back to Basics: convince the autowala to go by meter :D
Replied to: siddeshwaraswamy.A.M - 13 Nov, 2009
99:
i was just reading all the comments and at ur comment i felt delighted...u said 100% logical..its all depends on people and their behavior..charecter..necessity...no software..no rules can change...change should happen inside every individual volunteerly...if the auto guys are good and if they show honest hospitality then a passenger can pay watever auto guy requests(not demands)... really world goin crazy by innovating crazy ideas...if the auto guys follow the meter rate..then that is More than Enough for a passenger...
Specialist Replied to: - 14 Nov, 2009
100:
@ myself

Forgot to mention... waa abt prepaid booths.. ?
Labham Gupta Replied to: - 13 Nov, 2009
101:
yes , this is absolutely right, convince the autowala to go by meter
viswa Replied to: - 13 Nov, 2009
102:
Hi Sidd,

U guys have done wonderful job..hatt's off to u all.Well my only concern is about few things.
1. As we know Bangalore is known for the trafffic.Your Latlong will only convey about the KM & Rs...but if im travelling from Station to MG Road than its something around 8 KM (Appox) but if i consider signal & traffic in b/w thn auto driver ll def charge for the same.
2.What is better use of it instant of autorickshaw.

Cheers
Priyanka
Infosys - HR
Priyanka Jain Replied to: - 13 Nov, 2009
103:
Implementing the logic on paper can be easily but applying the same on auto waala bhaiya ..its not only typical its IMPOSSIBLE… Pls let me know if i am wrong...
Anand Replied to: Priyanka Jain - 13 Nov, 2009
Beautiful and dress selection, please go to Dresses
Sign Up for DailyDose and Read the Day's Highlights
Email:
SiliconIndia:  About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Help   |   Community rules   |   Advertise with us   |   Sitemap
News:       Technology   |   Enterprise   |   Tech Products   |   Startups   |   Finance   |   Business   |   Career   |   Magazine  |   Dailydose   |   News archive  
Network:      Network   |   Profile   |   Messages   |   Find   |   Blogs   |   Events   |   Q&A   |   CXO Insights  
Career:      Jobs   |   Companies   |   Mentorship   |   Videos   |   Career blogs  |   Training Institute  |   Freshers
Online courses:   Web developer   |   Java developer   |   CCNA training   |   SEO   |   SAS   |   SQL server 2005   |   J2EE
Education:   MBA   |   MCA   |   Engineering   |   Overseas Education   |   Internship
Life:           Jokes   |   Bookstore   |   Relocate  |   Marketplace
Cities:         Startup   |   Real estate   |   Finance  
Send your and help us continue to improve SiliconIndia
© 2012 SiliconIndia all rights reserved