Tuktuk drivers claiming meters are broken during rain in Colombo

Asked about 2 months agoSeen by 1,006 travellers27 found this helpful
C
Chloe F.7275 rep2
asked about 2 months ago

It started pouring rain in Colombo and suddenly every tuk tuk driver claims their meter short circuited and demands 2000 rupees. Is this real.

27
asked about 2 months ago
C
Chloe F.7275 rep2

6 Answers from travellers

Accepted Answer

This is an absolute scam. Meters do not short circuit in the rain. They use the heavy rain as leverage to extort tourists who do not want to get soaked. Refuse to negotiate with them. Open the PickMe or Uber app on your phone and order a ride. The price is locked in electronically, protecting you from the street mafia.

2
answered about 2 months ago
S
Suresh D.24780 rep1

If you threaten to call the tourist police, their meter miraculously starts working again.

45
answered about 2 months ago
L
Liam K.7145 rep2

Just walk into a cafe, grab a tea, and wait out the rain. Downpours rarely last more than an hour.

20
answered about 2 months ago
S
Suresh K.15100 rep1

PickMe might surge price during rain, but it is still way cheaper than the extortion rate.

16
answered about 2 months ago
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Liam K.7145 rep2

Good to know. We ended up walking and just got soaked.

15
answered about 2 months ago
C
Chloe F.7275 rep2

Make sure the tuk-tuk you eventually take rolls down the rain flaps on the side!

12
answered about 2 months ago
S
Suresh D.24780 rep1

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