Unbias Your Auto Rickshaw Ride: How to Verify Fare Meters Using Your Smartphone

Travelling in an auto rickshaw can be a convenient and cost-effective way to navigate through bustling cities. However, like with any ride, the accuracy of the fare meter during your journey plays a crucial role in ensuring a fair transaction. While some drivers honor the meter, others might tamper with it. This article will guide you on how to verify if the fare meter is rigged using a simple method involving your smartphone GPS.

Introducing the GPS Verification Method

To ensure transparency and fairness in your ride, you can employ a straightforward technique using your smartphone's GPS to measure a portion of your auto ride, typically 2 km, and compare it with the fare meter reading. This method has been tested and proved effective during a pilot study conducted by mGaadi in collaboration with over 25 drivers in July and August 2013. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Prepare Your Smartphone and Select the Route

Have a fully charged smartphone or tablet. Ensure it has a reliable GPS signal, which is essential for accurate measurements.Install a reliable GPS navigation app. Avoid apps with frequent crashes or inaccuracies. Popular choices include Google Maps, Waze, or MapMyRide.Plan your route for a 2 km segment of your trip. This part of the journey is chosen because it provides a significant enough distance to measure accurately, yet is manageable within a normal ride duration.

Step 2: Start the GPS and Meter Readings

Start your 2 km segment before the fare meter resets. The fare meter often resets once you reach a certain point, so make sure your journey is long enough to allow for this check.Initiate the GPS measurement. Open your selected GPS app, and start tracking your the app to calculate the distance. This should take a few minutes, depending on the traffic.

Step 3: Compare the GPS Distance with the Fare Meter

Compare the distance measured by the GPS app with the fare meter reading. The goal is to see if they match.If the GPS distance is significantly different from the meter reading, there’s a possibility that the meter has been tampered with.

Why This Method Works

The pilot study conducted by mGaadi revealed that the fare meter readings and GPS computed distances matched within 1% accuracy. This small margin of error is attributed to factors such as the calibration of the fare meter and the inherent inaccuracies of GPS in urban environments. However, a significant discrepancy between the two measurements can be an indicator of a rigged meter. It’s important to note that this method can also work with other types of taxis or private vehicles, not just auto rickshaws.

Benefits of Verifying Fare Meters

Verifying fare meters brings several benefits to both passengers and drivers:

Guarantees Fair Pricing: Ensures that the fare charged for the ride corresponds to the distance traveled.Builds Trust Between Passengers and Drivers: Reduces conflicts and misunderstandings about pricing, fostering a more positive and harmonious ride experience.Helps In Flaw Detection: Identifies faulty fare meters early, allowing for timely maintenance or replacement.

Additional Tips for Safe and Affordable Rides

While verifying the fare meter is a crucial step, it’s also beneficial to follow these additional tips to ensure a smooth and safe ride:

Choose Reputable Operators: Opt for auto rickshaws or taxis from well-known and accredited service providers.Confirm the Fare Before Starting the Journey: Before you begin your trip, ask the driver to confirm the fare and the trip duration.Be Alert to Abnormal Situations: If the driver insists on a fare that seems unusually high, it’s best to seek another ride.

In Conclusion

Adopting the GPS verification method can empower you, the passenger, to ensure a fair and transparent experience during your ride in an auto rickshaw. It adds a layer of safeguards that promote fairness and trust between passengers and drivers. By being proactive and informed, you can enjoy your travel experience to the fullest.