Auto Meter vs App Fare: Bengaluru's 2.6 km ride debate blows up online

A commuter in Bengaluru recently went viral after sharing how much auto fares can differ depending on how you book. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), they showed a ₹ 39-meter fare compared to a ₹172 quote on an app for the same 2.6 km ride.The big price gap has sparked fresh debate about how much people are paying for daily travel in the city. Many users replied with similar experiences, raising concerns about fare rules and how app-based pricing works.

“If you don’t have your own vehicle in Bangalore, you’re s**”The viral post featured a photo of the meter and app fare side by side, with the caption: “The price on meter vs the price on Uber. If you don’t have your own vehicle in Bangalore, you’re s*.”The ride was just 2.6 km– a short distance– yet the app showed a fare over four times what the meter indicated.

The contrast didn’t go unnoticed and was widely shared by people both within and outside the city.“Woah, you found an auto that agreed to use the meter”One user reacted, “Woah, you found an auto that agreed to use the meter.”To this, the original poster replied, “No, I asked him to turn it on just so I could see the actual price.”Users say surge pricing, driver preferences behind steep app faresSome users tried to explain the price difference by saying that ride-hailing apps use dynamic pricing based on demand and supply. But even that explanation didn’t satisfy everyone.

The same user added, “But even that logic fails when the government bans bike taxis and removes non-Kannadiga auto drivers. It’s all being controlled by the auto mafia.”Others noted that even when app fares drop closer to meter prices, rides often remain unavailable. Many call app-based fares a form of ‘exploitation’As more users joined the conversation, a clear sentiment emerged– a feeling that app fares are unfair, especially for daily commuters.One user didn’t hold back, calling it “absolute exploitation.”Having your own vehicle isn't always a win eitherWhile some supported the original poster’s take on the need for personal vehicles, others pointed out that even that isn’t always a better deal. One comment summed it up: “And in this traffic, even your own vehicle gives a mileage of less than 9 kmpl.”Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral social media post and public comments. The Times of India does not independently verify the authenticity of the post or the claims made by users.