Taxis, autos make merry

KARNATAKA BUNDH IMPACT
Taxis, autos make merry
Deccan Herald

This was the return to the familiar bundh day scene. As early as 6.15 am on Wednesday, the HAL Airport neighbourhood was wide awake to the business potential on shut-down day.

The bundh had no impact on the flight schedule, but with protesters expected to affect passenger mobility out of the airport, taxi and autorickshaw drivers jacked up the fares.

Only, there weren’t a lot of takers, as most of the morning passengers had already arranged their own vehicle services through friends or relatives.


Some passengers who had to catch flights as late as 10 am and beyond, played safe by hitting the road before 6 am - the start for the 12-hour bundh. Many passengers flying out of Bangalore chose to go for taxis to reach the airport.

According to airline sources, passenger load waned towards the later part of the day, with many cancelling or rescheduling their travel plans.

Less bustle

The KSTDC pre-paid taxi counter wore less bustle in the morning with only around 50 taxis on service, against the 200-plus on normal days.

However, private taxi drivers made the customary killing - making the most of the situation and hiking fares by double and more, especially with passengers from abroad. The bargain margin got thinner as the day progressed.

“Auto bundh hai saab, taxi mein jaayiye”, a smart one was heard pitching himself to a passenger. The bargains continued full-flow before a lull between flights. By 8 am, the taxi buzz went on a downswing, even as some of the more persistent ones stayed back, waiting in their cars.

“There’s no point driving out into the City without passengers any way. I can wait till afternoon,” said Kabir, a driver.

Business as unusual

The pre-paid autorickshaw counter was left unmanned for a few hours in the morning, leaving passengers at the mercy of the drivers. The rates got as fancy as Rs 200 (to Madiwala), Rs 250 (to Koramangala) and Rs 175 (to MG Road).

Hiked rates

“We also run the risk of getting into trouble with bundh supporters on the road. Hiked rates are normal on bundh days,” reasoned a driver. The fares were back to regular after the traffic constable’s return to the counter.

Some of the drivers had parked in as early as Tuesday night, hoping to catch morning passengers commuting to areas where the drivers themselves reside in. They did wait for long but for most of them, the wait paid off too.KARNATAKA BUNDH IMPACT
Taxis, autos make merry
DH News Service Bangalore:
This was the return to the familiar bundh day scene. As early as 6.15 am on Wednesday, the HAL Airport neighbourhood was wide awake to the business potential on shut-down day.

The bundh had no impact on the flight schedule, but with protesters expected to affect passenger mobility out of the airport, taxi and autorickshaw drivers jacked up the fares.

Only, there weren’t a lot of takers, as most of the morning passengers had already arranged their own vehicle services through friends or relatives.


Some passengers who had to catch flights as late as 10 am and beyond, played safe by hitting the road before 6 am - the start for the 12-hour bundh. Many passengers flying out of Bangalore chose to go for taxis to reach the airport.

According to airline sources, passenger load waned towards the later part of the day, with many cancelling or rescheduling their travel plans.

Less bustle

The KSTDC pre-paid taxi counter wore less bustle in the morning with only around 50 taxis on service, against the 200-plus on normal days.

However, private taxi drivers made the customary killing - making the most of the situation and hiking fares by double and more, especially with passengers from abroad. The bargain margin got thinner as the day progressed.

“Auto bundh hai saab, taxi mein jaayiye”, a smart one was heard pitching himself to a passenger. The bargains continued full-flow before a lull between flights. By 8 am, the taxi buzz went on a downswing, even as some of the more persistent ones stayed back, waiting in their cars.

“There’s no point driving out into the City without passengers any way. I can wait till afternoon,” said Kabir, a driver.

Business as unusual

The pre-paid autorickshaw counter was left unmanned for a few hours in the morning, leaving passengers at the mercy of the drivers. The rates got as fancy as Rs 200 (to Madiwala), Rs 250 (to Koramangala) and Rs 175 (to MG Road).

Hiked rates

“We also run the risk of getting into trouble with bundh supporters on the road. Hiked rates are normal on bundh days,” reasoned a driver. The fares were back to regular after the traffic constable’s return to the counter.

Some of the drivers had parked in as early as Tuesday night, hoping to catch morning passengers commuting to areas where the drivers themselves reside in. They did wait for long but for most of them, the wait paid off too.