Demand Rs. 250 to Rs. 600 from unsuspecting travellers

Sir,

For days now, the exploitative practices of auto drivers at Mysuru’s Railway Station have spiralled out of control, turning into a nightmare for passengers arriving late at night.

After 10 pm, it has become routine for auto drivers to demand an extra Rs. 100 to Rs. 150. However, this form of ‘extortion’ isn’t limited to a single location. Drivers operating near the station’s rear gate boldly ask for Rs. 250 to Rs. 300, and for longer trips, the fare can skyrocket to a staggering Rs. 500 to Rs. 600 — blatantly fleecing unsuspecting travellers.

Even the seemingly dependable prepaid auto service at the front gate has not been spared. Drivers often demand an additional Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 upon reaching the destination, despite the fare being clearly printed on the receipt.

This indicates that the prepaid system too has fallen under the shadow of exploitation. To make matters worse, app-based cab services become virtually unavailable after 9 pm. Despite repeated attempts, drivers avoid the Railway Station altogether, leaving passengers with no choice but to fall victim to the exploitative demands of auto drivers.

My humble plea to the City Police is to initiate strict action — similar to the steps taken in Bengaluru — to put an end to this rampant overcharging and safeguard passengers from this ongoing exploitation.

– R. Yashas, Social Activist, Mysuru, 7.7.2025

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to [email protected]