BENGALURU: With Bengalureans on the move again, the demand for cabs is back. But a combination of shortage of cabs, fare hike and drivers refusing to ply has many seeking meter taxis.
In cities such as New York, media reports say passengers are returning to yellow taxis because of cab shortage and price hike in app-based cabs. In Bengaluru, many drivers found other jobs during the pandemic and are not ready to drive cabs because of soaring diesel prices.
“It is difficult to get a cab now, especially during peak hours and when it rains. If we manage to get one, either it will be too expensive or the driver will refuse to come. It’s high time we had yellow taxis here as in Kolkata and Mumbai,” said Revathy Krishnan, a cab user from Koramangala.
The roads of Bengaluru used to see the traditional Ambassador and Premier Padmini taxis painted black and yellow several years ago. K Radhakrishna Holla, president of Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association, said, “Bengaluru had black-and-yellow taxis, especially in places like City and Cantonment railway stations, Gandhi Bazaar and Brigade Road. But this more or less stopped after HAL airport stopped operations in 2008 and Ola and Uber cabs hit the road.”
Drivers unhappy
Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola, Taxi for Sure and Uber Owners and Drivers’ Association, said, “We have been requesting the government to give permission to install meters in taxis for the past two years. Transport officials say ride-hailing is outdated and app-based booking is the most advanced way. But the government is also not ready to launch an app even as most drivers don’t want to work with Ola and Uber because of reduced incentives.”
L Hemanth Kumar, additional commissioner for transport and secretary, state transport authority, said, “We will consider installing meters in cabs if drivers come forward. Let there be a consensus among them on this. We don’t have any opposition.”
According to Holla, many drivers refuse trips because of damaged roads, especially during rain, and traffic congestion.
Transport officials said most cabs associated with Ola and Uber have state contract permits and only city taxi permit holders such as Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Meru cabs have meter taxis. KSTDC airport taxis, for instance, are fitted with GPS-enabled machines that allow tracking and issue receipt at the end of journey.
Mumbai’s black-and-yellow taxis and Kolkata’s yellow taxis are popular. The West Bengal government also rolled out no-refusal taxis (blue and white) in Kolkata. In Dubai, all taxis are equipped with smart digital meters that have cashless payment and GPS navigation features.
However, some Bengalureans are skeptical. “If meter taxis are allowed, they will also be like our auto drivers who refuse to ply or demand extra. What we need is enforcement of fares fixed by the government,” said Mahalakshmi R, a passenger.
