When Rs 12 beats Rs 175: Bengaluru founder snubs costly auto prices, uses cheaper option to protest ‘stupid fares'

Time of India

6 days ago

Swapnil Jain
, co-founder of
Ather Energy
, did not expect a normal Monday morning commute to kick up such noise. He had both his vehicles parked at the office, so when he needed to get back, he tried the usual option.
'For various reasons, both my vehicles were parked at the office and I had no ride. Tried booking an auto because it is only 4 kms, but the price was ₹175. Heck with it, just decided to take a bus to office at ₹12,' he posted on X.
And that was that. Or so he thought.
'Protesting stupid auto prices'
Calling it what it was, Jain wrote, 'This is me protesting against the stupid auto prices.'
— swapniljain89 (@swapniljain89)
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The phrase struck a chord. In Bengaluru, short auto rides turning costly is nothing new. Jain's public refusal felt relatable for many. His ₹12 bus ticket said more than a rant ever could.
UPI payment, no loose change
There was more to this than the fare. Jain pointed out that BMTC's UPI option makes life easier. No awkward wait for coins. No hunting for change in the pocket. He also gave a nod to Switch Mobility's
electric buses
.
Comfortable enough, he said. A slight lag in acceleration did not bother him much. He figured it was down to shifting passenger weight.
Bengaluru joins in
The post caught on. Others began to chip in with their own stories.
One user wrote, 'BMTC has been my primary mode for the last 1 year. Other than the sudden acceleration or braking, no complaints. No issue with frequency (500D), and no last-mile connectivity issues either.'
Someone else shared, 'Use the Namma BMTC app for live tracking. It's not perfect, but it works. Pair it with UPI and you're sorted.'
Another liked Jain's small stand, saying, 'I like how you don't waste money on simple things. It's not just about saving ₹100- ₹150, it's about staying grounded in the roots we come from.'
Of course, not everyone clapped along. One user poked fun at Jain's scooters.
'Same way we don't want to waste money on your scooters that stop when there's a pillion rider. You call that derating? Hilarious!' the user said.
Someone found fault with the buses too. 'Why can't the floor be flat? Too many steps inside, feels like climbing into an auditorium,' read another reply.
Others dropped tips. 'You can get daily passes through the Tummoc app too. Also, airport buses on the BMTC app are really accurate.'
Under it all, this was not only about a short bus ride. Jain's post pulled out an old complaint Bengaluru commuters share quietly every day. Auto fares that feel random. The relief when the bus turns up on time. Small fixes like paying through an app.
'Needed a rick in the rain, guess who's charging Rs 175 for 3 km? Rapido!' another user added, showing this is not one man's story.
Swapnil Jain's choice to spend twelve rupees instead of one seventy-five will not overhaul Bengaluru's transport overnight. But it has pushed a simple idea back into the open. Sometimes a bus ride is worth more than it costs. And a small protest can make people pause and think before hailing the next pricey rick.