Bengaluru: Parking permit to cab aggregators at KIA opposed

Bengaluru: Members of the Bengaluru Tourist Taxi Owners Association (BTTOA) have raised objection to allowing of bay parking facility at the Kempegowda International Airport to cab aggregators.

They point out that it would be a threat to the security of passengers, as aggregators are yet to register and comply with the regulatory norms and conditions of State Transport Department.

K. Radhakrishna Holla, President, Bengaluru Tourist Taxi Owners Association, told Deccan Chronicle that the BTTOA has submitted complaints to the Transport Department and the Kempegowda International Airport Authority regarding the unhealthy permission for bay parking.

He stated that Mega, Meru and KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation) taxis have registered with the airport, after complying with all the norms laid down by the transport department.

Allowing cab aggregators, who are yet to comply with the rules and norms of the transport department, would affect the services of registered cab agencies. So, in an attempt to favour cab aggregators, the airport authority has connived with the cab aggregators, providing them 3G and 4G mobile network facilities, which are not otherwise available, he said. This shows that cab aggregators like Ola, Uber and Taxi For Sure will benefit by it.

Since they are not registered and have not got a valid permit from the transport department, the safety of passengers is a major concern.

Aggregators have to comply with conditions like having a panic button, a GPS tracking system, digital display meters and most importantly, all drivers must get a verification certificate from the police, among other conditions, said, Mr. Holla.

“No objection will be raised if these cab aggregators comply with these conditions. Mega, Meru and KSTDC are registered with the transport and airport authority and are bound to provide services at Rs19.50 per kilometer, but cab aggregators offer their service for Rs 500 and this affects the business of registered cab services. Once they comply with the transport regulations, we will have no objection, even if they offer free services,” said, Mr. Holla.  

Further, he said that two circles — Brain Circle and Mantri Circle are accident-prone regions inside the airport. The BTTOA have urged the authorities to provide alternative facilities like underpass or free line stretch to the airport.