'You pay Rs 1k, but fare would be just Rs 800': How cabbies hoodwink Bengaluru airport travellers

Reports are surfacing of cab drivers from ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido allegedly exploiting passengers traveling to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport by inflating fares through deceptive practices. Numerous complaints on social media suggest drivers are manipulating routes and fees, often leaving travelers with little choice but to pay inflated amounts.

Also Read: Bengaluru: Here’s how cabbies hoodwink airport-travelling customers into paying more!

One X user, Shivam Sourav Jha, explained a common tactic: “They stop the vehicle midway citing no fuel and ask you to pay at a petrol pump, saying 1100 is shown, but they only need 1000. If you refuse, they threaten to stay put, risking a missed flight.” He also noted that drivers often avoid toll roads to reduce their expenses but charge passengers toll-inclusive rates, pocketing the difference. "Since no toll was passed, your effective fare should be 800, but you paid 1000 already. Where’s the 200? He won’t pay it back,” Jha said. 

4 since no toll passed your effective would be 800, but you paid 1000 already

Where is 200? No he wont pay it back

— Shivam Sourav Jha (@ShivamSouravJha)

4 since no toll passed your effective would be 800, but you paid 1000 already

Where is 200? No he wont pay it back

— Shivam Sourav Jha (@ShivamSouravJha) October 28, 2024

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Women travelers, in particular, have reportedly been targeted. Another user recounted how an Ola driver deliberately extended her journey from Whitefield to the airport, covering 60 km instead of the usual 40 km, causing her fare to soar from Rs 880 to Rs 1400.

These practices have sparked concern among airport passengers, prompting calls for stricter regulation to prevent fare manipulation and ensure transparent billing by cab drivers.