Taxi Services at Bengaluru Airport Leave Travelers Stranded as Wait Amounts to Hours

Passengers have to wait for hours to get a cab at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. Due to the huge demand for cab services like Ola and Uber at the airport, long queues are formed, but due to limited availability of cabs and the hesitation of drivers, passengers are facing a lot of difficulties.

Recently, a social media account named ‘Karnataka Portfolio’ shared a video of a long queue of passengers inside the airport, showing how passengers are struggling to get a taxi. This video has been viewed more than 68,000 times, and many passengers have shared their opinions by commenting.

A long line of passengers has formed inside the Bengaluru Airport terminal, all waiting to secure a taxi. The queue stretches across the terminal, with weary travelers patiently standing in line after their flights. Due to the high demand, the minimum waiting time for a taxi has… pic.twitter.com/EeNAEUH4u4

— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) November 12, 2024

It was told in this video that this problem has arisen due to the unexpected increase in the number of passengers and lack of taxi services. Similar situation can be seen at all major cab aggregator counters. Taxi drivers say that they generally avoid airport trips because of the distance and the hefty toll charges.

After the video went viral, many people on social media suggested a solution to the problem. “Instead of waiting an hour, passengers can use the KIAL airport bus service and pick up taxis closer to their destination,” said a user. Another user suggested the BMTC bus service as a reliable option. “Why can’t there be low rise AC buses that commute every half hour between the Airport and the city?” said another person.

“This is going on from years you take any ride n you have to wait minimum of 20-30 min which can extend upto 45-90 min in some cases like @BluSmartIndia @Uber @QuickRidein.” commented another user. Another user praised the BMTC bus service, writing that it connects the airport to various parts of the city and passengers should use it.

Taxi driver Mallappa Gowda said, “If we do airport duty, each ride takes at least 1 to 2 hours, depending on the traffic and distance. And there are hefty toll prices which drivers are supposed to pay. Upon that there is a pick-up point tariff which has been increased,”

Mallappa further said that the earnings from airport trips are very limited, due to which drivers prefer to do pick-up and drop-off trips within the city.

The government and the transport department will have to pay attention to solve this inconvenience being faced by passengers. Passengers can use BMTC’s airport service instead of Ola-Uber, which connects the airport to various parts of the city and is also economical. Besides, the transport department should consider offering incentives and toll relief to taxi drivers so that more drivers are willing to take up airport duty.

With the increasing number of passengers at Bengaluru airport, it has become necessary to make public transport options more convenient and accessible.