Travelling back home from new airport may become expensive

Travelling back home from new airport may become expensive

Sharath S. Srivatsa

Cars in premium segment to be introduced; BIAL invites tenders for travel partner

Professional bus services also to be in place

Five firms bid for taxi and limousine services

– Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

To go? These taxis may make way for cars in the premium segment to be introduced at the Bangalore International Airport.

BANGALORE: Your ride back home from the new Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli could just become expensive as cars in the luxury segment, which are now available at the pre-paid KSTDC counter at the HAL airport, could give way to those in the premium segment.

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which has floated tenders to identify travel partner, has sought cars in the premium segment, including Tata Indigo and Maruti Esteem and above, in place of cars in the luxury segment that includes Tata Indica and Maruti Omni.

The KSTDC counter at the HAL airport operates a fleet of 350 cars in the luxury segment and around 50 meter-taxis are operated through the Bangalore Airport Taxi Drivers’ Union.

Sources familiar with the tendering process said that BIAL had sought brand new vehicles in the premium segment that would match “international quality standards”.

“BIAL has asked the bidders to quote the rates and will be negotiating the same with them.

“Travel partner could be identified shortly,” the sources added.
Apprehension

Expressing apprehension about the rates, the sources said, “Everyone will not be in a position to afford premium segment cars. For those taking a short air journey, the rates could become very expensive.”

Drawing comparison on the rates between the two segments, the sources said, a ride to Banashankari from the HAL airport by luxury cars could cost around Rs. 300, while it could cost around Rs. 500 in premium segment cars.

The sources expressed fear that many vehicles plying from the airport now would not qualify for the bid, and attempts had been made to secure a year’s time for the operators, who had licence from the KSTDC, to upgrade the vehicles.

However, BIAL sources said that professional bus services would also be in place for those who could not afford to travel by premium segment vehicles.

The sources said that at least five companies had participated in the bid for taxi and limousine services, which were being evaluated. The travel partner would be selected shortly.

“We require around 1,000 vehicles to start with, and we will select the bidder, who is capable of increasing the number when there is demand,” the sources added.

Besides, the partner for these professional taxi and limousine services would be selected keeping in view the cost and quality of international standards, the sources said.
Choppers

For those eager to avoid traffic snarls, BIAL is also in talks with some helicopter operators to provide heli-services to the airport from the city.

The sources said that it was up to the operator to secure permits from the authorities concerned.