Transport in Kochi/Cochin

Dr. Gajaprishthakara

Thought this might be helpful:

Like everywhere now, you can get pre-paid autos from the airport and the railway - maybe. The system seems to have collapsed somewhat as drivers are upset that they can't fleece the pants off everyone.

Last year, arriving late at night at the railway I had to contend with a completely corrupt officer manning the box who was insisting on 450 roops to go to Fort Cochin in an AUTO.

This year, it is back to chaos but it actually made it easier to get a fair price (150 roops).

Once you are in Fort Cochin, AVOID USING THE AUTORICKSHAWS. They are destroying their own businesses by making life hell for tourists here (unless you are willing to pay what they want). Anyone taking you for FREE or for a suspiciously low price is taking you to shops where they get commission (even if you say you want to go somewhere else).

Instead, hire bikes (motor or pedal). Pedal will cost you 5 roops an hour or 40 for the day (before haggling). Use the excellent boat services to get over to Vippeen Island or in to Ernakalum (but don't take the bike). In Ernakalum, the autos will also try to take you for a ride but, as there are more of them, it is easier to negotiate a fair price. Note: prices rise legitimately by 20% after 10pm.

The fluctuating price of petrol makes regulating pricing difficult, until the Indian governments find a way of making the system fair for drivers and passengers - vote with your feet, where possible.

CliveG

As always there will be some drivers who try it on especially now when there are fewer tourists and drivers are existing on very little income. In Ernakulam I know drivers who were making only Rs20-50 per day. The problem is that during the tourist season there are just enough autos but outside of that there are too many and they struggle to survive.
Haven't experienced any drivers in Fort Kochi who tried to rip me off. Auto from Ernakulam boat jetty to Fort Kochi was always Rs20 irrespective of the auto driver. I always ask how much before I get into an auto. If the driver said it was up to me then I would offer him an amount and see if this was acceptable. If it wasn't there is always another auto right behind.
I have heard that that Kerala or maybe just Kochi is to introduce pre-paid auto service which should result in people being charged the same amount for the same journey.

Dr. Gajaprishthakara

Hi Clive

We have had totally different experiences. If you can get those prices good luck to you. BTW I am happy to pay above local price but I live here so I also don't want to pay extortionate prices. I would be happy to pay 20 roops for that trip. Do you where a burkah when you travel?

Also - as far as there being another one right behind - here they seem to work as a cartel.

Also - my wife got her bottom touched today on the ferry. This is the third incident (not to her) that we have heard about in three days. She is little and screamed and scandalised him before punching him in the arm (I wasn't there). So sit with the women (not you Clive).

CliveG

No I wear an expression that says -'don't mess with me'.
I think the cartel only really works in high season but now it is dog eat dog and they are grateful for any fare they can get.
I had a rule of thumb once I knew the rates. If a driver said the fare was up to me he got the minimum, if he gave me the right price he got a good tip. I also found that as most of the drivers at the boat jetty, Ernakulam got to know us (and our address) they knew not to try it on. During the three months I was there Jan'Mar I tended to use one driver and would just call him up to collect us - so that the fares were always the same.

Yes I have heard about the bottom pinching (sadly it never happened to me even if I went and sat with the women!). Problem is that at certain times those ferries are extremely crowded and it is difficult to tell who the culprit is. My wife did not experience this problem even when she was on her own but then again it would be a brave man who took her on!