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Time of India

Bike-taxi ban: Bengalureans' frustration grows

Getting transport during peak time at an affordable rate could make or mar the day for many Bengalureans. Since the bike-taxi ban, it has been the latter for all those who used this option. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For the longest time, this reporter believed all able-bodied people should commute by public transport. It helps combat air pollution and eases traffic congestion. But working professionals who require a neat appearance often face challenges with BMTC buses, many of which have soiled seats and untidy floors. Bengaluru's public bus network also suffers from inefficiencies and inadequate coverage. The metro currently covers only a small part of the city. During peak times, cabs and autorickshaws often refuse rides and charge prohibitive fares. In this environment, bike-taxis came as a huge relief for many. Rising commute costs Dhanraj Aribam, 21, a resident of BTM Layout who is pursuing his undergrad in a private university near Richmond Circle, says his life has been terrible following the bike-taxi ban. 'I spend Rs 400 on my daily commute nowadays. Being a student, I feel the pinch of high commuting costs but there are no better options,' he says. Ishan Sinha, a 22-year-old content curator and design developer in Apollo AyurVAID, echoes similar sentiments. Bike- taxis were his go-to commuting solution for their convenience, affordability, and speed. Ishan says, 'I used to spend around Rs 50-100 daily on bike-taxi rides and they also helped me quickly navigate heavy traffic. Now I end up paying up to Rs 300 daily.' He now relies on a mix of public transport and auto rides, which has increased his overall commute time too. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For women, safety is a huge concern. A post-graduate student in Jain University, who did not want to be named, told us she prefers to commute by bus after the bike-taxi ban came into effect. 'However, buses are too crowded and that makes me feel unsafe,' she says, adding she does not have an Aadhaar card from Karnataka and hence no access to free travel. Sometimes she even cancels plans when the travel is too expensive or exhausting. 'The metro has raised its fares and it's more or less equivalent to autorickshaw rates,' she says. Her pocket money is primarily spent on transportation and meals. She says autorickshaw drivers often demand Rs 100 even for a 1-2 km ride, though the actual fare should be around Rs 30. Transportation, she says, tops the list of her expenses. 'Every time I step out, transportation via autorickshaw alone costs me a minimum of Rs 300,' she says. ORR association promotes buses The Outer Ring Road is home to 26 tech parks, employing around 10 lakh techies. In response to the commuting challenges, the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) is actively promoting public transport use. "We are planning to propose to BMTC to increase the frequency of buses, especially the Vayu Vajra," Manas Das, president of ORRCA, says. Last year, the organisation implemented an initiative called Private to Public, aiming to encourage employees to adopt sustainable transportation methods. VOICE BOX Employees in these tech parks do not use public transport as much as we want them to. They often cite poor first and last mile connectivity as the main reason for choosing to use private vehicles. Manas Das Manas Das, PRESIDENT, OUTER RING ROAD COMPANIES ASSOCIATION (ORRCA) Getting around in Bengaluru has become challenging. Auto drivers are very egoistic, and they take you for a ride. I bought an e-bike recently. It helps me save a lot of money. Joel Daniel Joel Daniel, 20, Lives in Indiranagar On weekdays, I used to travel by Rapido. The commute from my residence at Mahaveer Ranches apartment to my workplace in EGL Domlur would typically cost between Rs 150-170 only. Praveenkumar Math Currently, I rely on my personal vehicle or taxi services for commuting, which proves to be both expensive and requires more time. Praveenkumar Math, 35, IT PROFESSIONAL The bike-taxi ban has substantially raised my transportation expenses. David Kumar Anthonappa The monthly expenditure has gone up from Rs 2,600 to Rs 6,000. David Kumar Anthonappa, ENVIRONMENTALIST This abrupt change has disrupted my routine, making every journey longer and costlier and forcing me to rethink my travel options. Ishan Sinha Ishan Sinha, 22, CONTENT CURATOR AND DESIGN DEVELOPER IN APOLLO AYURVAID Following the bike-taxi ban, the cost of my daily commute has increased from Rs 180 to Rs 300. Sania Anna Ajo Additionally, the extended waiting periods for cabs have made the commute more challenging. Sania Anna Ajo, STUDENT, LIVES IN HEBBAL Bike-taxis were very affordable. I live on my own and for people like me, they were a great option. If any sudden plans come up, I could always depend on bike taxis. They would get booked quickly and I wouldn't have to think about the expenses much. While a ride to Cubbon Park would cost Rs 90 by auto and Rs 30 by metro, followed by a long walk, bike- taxis would only cost Rs 52 and I'd get dropped at the destination. A POST-GRADUATE STUDENT AT JAIN UNIVERSITY (Did not want to be named) Bike-taxis were perfect for beating the city's traffic. Saif Numan They saved me both time and money during my daily commute. Since the ban, I rely on autos or cabs, which are costlier and often stuck in traffic. Daily expenses have nearly doubled, and commuting has become more stressful. Saif Numan, 23, EMPLOYEE IN A PRIVATE COMPANY I now end up spending Rs 200 daily. Rapido bikes were much cheaper, and faster. Malavika Rajesh Malavika Rajesh, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, ST JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY Bike-taxis reduce congestion, making them vital for efficient transit. Instead of an outright ban, authorities should consider measures such as clear taxi branding, mandatory number plate verification, standardised driver uniforms, and CCTV surveillance to ensure compliance and safety. Pramodh Kumar Nadella Pramodh Kumar Nadella, BUSINESS ANALYST, TECH MAHINDRA, ELECTRONICS CITY