Worst experience: Cab package from CBE to Ooty sightseeing

I recently visited Ooty with my family. While the location was beautiful and we had a great time, the experience with the cab driver we booked was frustrating, to say the least. My advice: **avoid booking any cab packages from Coimbatore**. To cut a long story short, I arrived at Coimbatore Junction in the evening. As soon as we exited the railway station, we were surrounded by travel agents aggressively pitching Ooty tour packages for the next day. We somehow avoided them and checked into a nearby hotel. However, things didn’t stop there—**the hotel manager shared my contact details with a travel agent without my permission**, leading to an avalanche of calls and even unsolicited visits to our room offering various plans. The next morning, a travel agent approached me in the hotel reception with different tour plans. My original idea was to hire a simple one-way drop to Ooty, but since I had an infant with me, I reluctantly opted for a package. Before booking, I clearly discussed with the travel agent that the driver’s meals, accommodation, tolls, and parking fees were all included in the package. However, trouble began as soon as we moved past Mettupalayam. The driver demanded ₹300 for tolls and an e-pass (CBE-NLG toll). I refused, reminding him that these charges were already included. He got furious, muttered something in Tamil, and insisted I check myself and pay. He stopped a short distance from the toll and asked again for ₹300. I insisted on paying directly at the toll booth. At the booth, I was asked to pay ₹30 for the green tax and ₹100 for an e-pass, which had supposedly been generated on the spot. When I asked for a receipt, the staff said none would be issued. Sensing something fishy, I approached two policemen nearby. They seemed reluctant to clarify and acted uncomfortable when I questioned the legitimacy of the charges. One of them admitted he was new and unsure. I then spoke to a senior officer, who simply waved me on without requiring any payment. **It was clear this was all part of a scam to fleece newcomers.** Adding insult to injury, the driver smugly remarked, "You are lucky, saar!" I was livid. The issues didn’t end there. Upon reaching the hotel in Ooty, the driver demanded accommodation and created a scene at the reception. I firmly reminded both the driver and the hotel staff that his meals and stay were his responsibility, as agreed with the travel company. There were several other instances of nuisance caused by the driver, which I won’t delve into further. **Takeaway:** Be extremely cautious when booking cabs or tour packages in this region. Avoid unsolicited offers, confirm all details in writing, and prepare to deal with potential scams. Stay safe and enjoy your trip to Ooty!