| Address: Bangalore, Karnataka |
CRN[protected] is the booking reference of OLA cab.
Normal fare including toll from my house is Rs.800.00. This cab charged my father (Mr.Sesha Prakash) Rs.1121 + a toll charge of 120.00. A total of Rs.1241. He misinformed that the Mekri Circle is closed (On the morning of 4th April 2016 at 3.24 am. The Driver Veekshith, informed that due to a lorry overturning the mekri circle road was closed. When my father informed that the road is very wide for a full closure, he responded that, his route from the airport was redirected due to this fact and hence he is compelled to use a different route.
The driver used the following route - Jayanagar 4th Block, Jayanagar 9th block, silk board, hebblur, Marathhalli ring road, KR Puram, Kasturi nagar, hebbal. In that wee hours of the morning there were several shorter alternate routes which were suggested by my father when he was turning towards Jayanagar itself from Tata Silk Farm. He informed he was apprehensive about the time factor and hence did not want to take the risk of delays. My flight was at 5 am (with web checkin) and was to be present at the airport by 4.15 am. He informed that (at 3.35 am), the drive despite the detour would be over within 45 minutes.
During the course of the drive, my father learnt that he is a born bangalorean and an evening college student of Surana College, South End Circle, Basavangudi, Bangalore for BCom. His contention that he did not know the shorter alternative routes was a deliberate lie to obtain a higher fare.
What should have been a 40 KM ride in about 50 min, turned out to be a 62.23 km / 71.32 minute ride. In the process, creating stressful mental conditions to my father about the ability to catch the flight. On reaching the airport, there was a physical stress of running with the luggage to checkin, the mental stress of long security check ques, imploring, pleading and requesting at every stage to fellow passengers, entrance security, airport officials, ticket counter staff and ques, flight attendants, final security check and running to the gate. He was mentally and physically exhausted and at 58 years of age, the condition is worse as he had to plead at each stage.
Only the kindness of the airlines ground staff, helped him reach and seat, which flight he would have otherwise missed.
The attached image clearly shows the extent of misguidance.
As a punishment / penality - either OLA cabs or the driver has to refund the full fare of Rs.1221.00 with an apology letter. In the event OLA cabs, does not respond, I will file a complaint in the consumer forum and claim damages of R.12210.00 (ten times the fare + all expenses)
