Two Bengaluru-based software engineers, Anmol Sharma and Yash Garg, have developed Meter Haaki (“Switch on the Meter”), a fare calculator available at meterhaaki.com, to help commuters check how much extra they may be paying for auto-rickshaw rides booked through aggregator apps. The platform calculates the official meter fare based on government-notified rates and compares it with what app-based aggregators charge. Inspired by the #MeterHaaki movement, the developers aim to bring transparency to auto fares, making fare comparison easy and accessible. They are also working on a mobile app, Naviget, for even greater convenience.
Revised Auto Fare Rules and the Push for Transparent Pricing in Bengaluru
The calculator follows the revised fares effective from August 1: ₹36 minimum for the first 2 km (up from ₹30), ₹18 per additional km (up from ₹15), and night fares (10 pm to 5 am) at 1.5 times the regular rate. To use it, commuters need to: (1) check the trip distance on the website or Google Maps, (2) ensure the driver starts the meter at the trip’s beginning, (3) note the distance and waiting time at the end, and (4) enter these details on meterhaaki.com to compare the official fare with the app fare.
The tool addresses widespread concerns over inflated auto fares in Bengaluru, where ride-hailing apps often apply surge pricing, tips, and hidden charges far above government rates. Although courts and the government have repeatedly mandated the use of fare meters, enforcement remains weak. Most auto-rickshaws rely on aggregator bookings, where prices are determined by market demand rather than regulated fares. As per a Karnataka High Court order from October 2022, aggregators may charge only 10% above official fares plus 5% GST, yet commuters often pay much more.
Citizen-Led Effort to Restore Fairness in Bengaluru’s Auto Fares
Shantha Gowda, an auto driver supporting the Meter Haaki campaign, criticised aggregators for frequent price hikes and lack of transparency, urging drivers to use meters honestly. Urban mobility expert Satya Arikutharam blamed the Karnataka government’s lax enforcement, accusing aggregators of acting as “fare brokers” who manipulate prices to benefit neither drivers nor passengers.
In this context, Meter Haaki emerges as a citizen-driven attempt to restore fairness and clarity in Bengaluru’s auto fares, empowering commuters with transparent and accurate fare information.
Summary:
Bengaluru engineers Anmol Sharma and Yash Garg created Meter Haaki, a fare calculator comparing official auto-rickshaw rates with aggregator app charges. Following revised fares from August 1, it addresses inflated pricing, weak enforcement, and aggregator manipulation, aiming to restore transparency and fairness through citizen-driven action and upcoming mobile app Naviget.
