As Bengaluru swelters under the summer sun, it’s not just temperatures that are running high, but tempers too as passengers and taxi drivers lock horns over the use of air-conditioners. Most drivers who have signed up with app-based platforms such as Uber and Ola are refusing to run car ACs citing high fuel rates. As of April 7, the per litre cost of diesel is ₹94.79.
“At times, they turn on the AC only if I agree to pay them extra,” said one irate passenger who relies on app-based taxis to commute to her workplace in the Central Business District.
According to citizens who regularly use taxis, drivers cite various excuses ranging from ‘the fare does not cover AC’ to ‘the company has instructed us not to turn it on as part of COVID-19 regulations’. Some passengers also reported that drivers have displayed a ‘notice’ inside the taxi asking for an additional ₹50-₹100 to run the AC.
More often than not, the issue arises for long-distance drops especially when ferrying passengers to and from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
‘Income drops drastically’
Drivers, on other hand, said their earnings have dropped significantly due to rising fuel prices and hefty commissions taken by aggregator platforms. “There is fierce competition at Bengaluru airport. One has to wait for hours to get a booking. The return trip from the airport to the city is always a burden for us,” said Ashoka, a taxi driver.
He pointed out that he gets barely ₹8-₹9 per km after commissions. “But the government has fixed ₹18 for non-AC and ₹24 for AC as the basic fare. We have to also bear a toll fee of close to ₹100. A few days ago, a passenger booked my taxi from the airport to Banashankari, the fare charged was ₹500. Do you think we can survive with such low earnings when diesel rate is close to ₹100 per litre ? We want the State Government to run a mobile app for the drivers which is beneficial for both passengers and the drivers,” said Mr. Ashoka.
Another taxi driver who operates to and from KIA acknowledged that they sometimes ask for extra fares, above that fixed by the app. “KSTDC and other airport taxis follow a different fee structure whereas other taxi drivers do not get good fare. While going from the city to the Airport, aggregators charge more than ₹1000 but while coming back do not even get half of that,” he said.
