Twelve railway stations in city to get app-based taxis

Twelve major railway stations in the city are set to get app-based taxis. “Our railway stations are part of the country’s information technology capital and we realised that we need to upgrade our facilities for the new-age passengers,” senior divisional railway manager (Commercial) Sridhar Murthy said.

According to the tender called by South Western Railway, there will be 40 cabs ready for hire at the main entrance of the Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Bengaluru City station and 10 at the entrance to platforms 7 and 8. Ola is already operating from Majestic station.

Similarly, there will be 20 cabs at Yeshwantpur station’s exit gate opening to Tumakuru Road and about 10 cabs at the exit from platform number 1. Cabs will also be available at Bengaluru Cantonment, Krishnarajapuram, Yelahanka, Kengeri, Banaswadi, Bengaluru East, Malleswaram, Baiyyappanahalli, Whitefield and Hebbal.
Railway officials said the initiative would boost their non-fare revenue.
 
However, auto drivers and taxi operators at railway stations are not happy with the move. At KSR Bengaluru City station, auto driver R Chandrashekhar said, “We have already suffered a lot since one operator (Ola) came here. The app-based taxi companies have lower-fare models because their drivers get incentives. Auto drivers do not get any passengers who want to reach places beyond three kilometres. The new entrants will drive us out,” he said.

When contacted, officials said they were not trying to favour any one. “It is our job to provide services that increase passenger convenience. Auto and taxi drivers should take up the issue with transport authorities for creating a fare model that does not violate the level-playing field,” another official told DH on condition of anonymity.