Chennai Station: Avoid the Taxi Touts

Nick-H

Just a note for the benefit, hopefully of others...

My wife and I just returned from a holiday in Kerala. We travelled to Chennai Central Station, from our home to the South of the city, by call taxi, with the fare paid according to the meter: Rs230.

On returning this morning, the tout homed in on me as the obvious foreigner on the platform. I wasn't interested anyway, but he stopped and spoke to my wife, who told him where we were going. He quoted Rs.950.

I was furious and very nearly called for a policeman! I saw a station official tell this guy to get out the station anyway, which the cop would probably only have done.

He continued to hassle us, reducing the price to Rs.500. We insisted on going to the Call taxi stand (it isn't pre-paid, but the rate, 100 min, plus Rs6 (I think) per km is known).

I guess that a person from London may not think it very much to pay about £12 to be driven to the other side of the city --- but it is an absolute rip off.

Beware!

dhans

If they try this even with old India hands like Nick....



Hans

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steven_ber

A few choice words in Tamil may have surprised him.

My first taste of Indian auto drivers was in Chennai about 7 years ago (was it that long, I'm getting old), each fare was about Rs100, I figured the real fare was maybe Rs80 and didn't mind paying a little 'tourist tax', then I jumped in an auto, got to our destination (same sort of distance), asked how much, then he pointed at the meter and said "Rs18".

An honest auto driver, I beleive there's one in Kolkata as well.

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Nick-H

Mrs N made it quite clear, even without the 'choice words', --- in Tamil. He still went on trying.

It was a good lesson for me, on how it can be here for newcomers and tourists.

He was obviously recognised by the station official, but I have no doubt that he would have just gone out the main entrance, and back in at the side.

singsub

i concur nick, chennai railway station auto/taxi drivers are some of the most aggro and persistant i have met during my india travels

Gametotravel

The crime will not stop with him out of the picture! The next tout will take off from the place vacated by the previous!

Sadanand Kamath

I had similar experiences with auto drivers - both at Chennai railway station and the airport in late 80's. In one occasion, I would have been ripped off had my local friend not come to my rescue. Later on, my friend told me that most of the autos in Chennai are indirectly owned by the police personnel. One can very well guess from where Chennai auto drivers derive aggressiveness and arrogance.

Sadanand

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capt_mahajan

That police thing was told to me, too.

Once I had an argument with an autodriver at Alwarpet and told him to take me to the cops. He left his auto and walked off, saying the auto was owned by a cop, and I could do anything I wanted.

So I drove the autorickshaw myself to my destination and abandoned it there. Was hardly a kilometer away anyway.

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Sadanand Kamath

You are great.

Sadanand

Nick-H

Brilliant, Capt., just Brilliant

Gametotravel, of course you are right, the next one will be waiting in line --- and I guess that it is not just Chennai that creates such touting sharks, although our auto drivers seem to have the worst reputation.

The secret is to avoid them, and to always go to the official counter.

pmvelu

Yes Nick . This issue with "Pre-Paid" taxi counter is there for past several years and When Bharti & fast track [ Pre-paid cabs] started their "First-Ever Pre-Paid Taxi Services in Chennai " a few years back , The local Gang threatened them not to Pick-up any passengers and believe-it or not , those Taxis will park Outisde the railway station and Quite a lot of times , After getting down from train wih my family, we all will walk for those 500 metres with all the luggages to that place and Board the Cab !.

And After several ups and downs , 2 years back, Government awarded "Ravi & Brothers" call taxi as the ONE and ONLY authorised pre-paid taxi in Chennai Central JN premises and for first 4 months or so , they operated 100% properly. When I came to chennai a month back, saw all the Touts and unprofessional approach from the Guy who gives the Token in the pre-paid counter[Even he told initially wait for 10 minutes there is no taxi and Touts were almost not allowing near the counter [ I being a Localite but still] and to worst of all , Now it's not "Ravi & Brothers" but it's on some commission basis all kinds of Taxis are allowed !! But Fare wise it's decent only [With proper metre and on shortest route ]]

And For future visitors who like to reach this "PRe-Paid Counter" , Whichever platform you are alighting in chennai Central Jn , Walk towards Saravana Bhavan / Ananda Sweets[Within the Station premises & nearer to platform to 8,9] and from this point, you could see an exit [ Hint is towards Advance reservation office] and once you are out, you could see this counter on the left .. Whoever pesters you OR even the counter guy tells wait for few minutes , Just wait and you will get a proper Cab !

And Capt ,it's very interesting and an innovative idea !

Nick-H

Interesting, Velu. It certainly seems to work smoothly now, with a more-or-less continual flow of cabs. It seems to be disciplined too: a couple of drivers wanted to wait for the foreigner, but the guy told them to go by the token number only.

Thanks for giving directions. Good idea! Can I add to that that this is the side exit to the station, and that, on leaving your platform, it will be towards your right.

capt_mahajan

Not really. For one, he did tell me to do whatever I wanted

(And, I got the idea from that old joke, not really offtopic is it? - anyway, googled now, only my joke is about a couple of Sikhs in Australia)

http://www.awordinyoureye.com/jokes47thset.html no. 1047

Nick-H

(Jewish humour: Love it!)

pmvelu

Nick , you are right in the directions and nice to hear you had a better experience in getting a cab to your home from chennai Central !!

Capt :Not really. For one, he did tell me to do whatever I wanted