Diesel price hike and lack of customers pushing cab drivers to leave the wheel in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: Many drivers in the city are quitting app-based cab platforms, unable to take the double blow of soaring diesel prices and reduced demand due to Covid-19 restrictions.
In Bengaluru, diesel and petrol prices were at a record Rs 85.84 and Rs 93.61 per litre, respectively, on Monday. In addition to fuel price hike, demand for cabs has fallen, mainly due to the work-from-home model in place. Transport department records show there are around 2 lakh taxis registered in the city. However, the number of cabs plying on roads now is less compared to pre-Covid times.
This trend is likely to further increase waiting time for cabs and surge pricing for Ola and Uber vehicles. The average waiting time for cabs in the city is now over 15 minutes. Meanwhile, many drivers have permanently shifted to other businesses like selling vegetables.
Air passengers arriving at Kempegowda Inter national Airport are the worst hit, where the average waiting time for app-based cabs is around 30 minutes. “Last week, there was a huge queue for cabs at the airport, but hardly any vehicles were available. Cab operators say this kind of shortage is now common. This is also resulting in surge pricing,” said Anitha S, a passenger.
