Bengaluru: The effects of the crackdown on bike taxis continue to leave commuters grappling with soaring autorickshaw fares, digital tipping demands, and mounting frustration, even after transport minister Ramalinga Reddy warned of strict action against illegal fare collection by auto drivers and aggregator platforms.Auto drivers and ride-hailing apps are openly bypassing fare rules. Commuters report that prices for short trips have nearly doubled since bike taxis went off the roads. Drivers frequently refuse to accept bookings unless a digital tip is added, while many demand extra cash after the ride, often citing vague reasons such as congestion or fuel costs.A recent reality check by TOI found that a JP Nagar-Mysore Bank circle ride, typically costing Rs 150, now costs Rs 210 on apps. Drivers refuse to accept the ride unless a tip of Rs 30 is added — after a 15-minute wait.For regular commuters, it is a daily struggle. Harika KV, a 23-year-old intern, said: “Autos are taking a lot of time and only come if we pay tip. After this (bike taxi) ban, auto prices have gone up a lot, which is not at all pocket-friendly for me.”Several ride-hailing platforms list multiple extra charges, including service fees, congestion surcharges, and tips ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 100. These amounts are often presented as optional, but end up being necessary in practice to secure a ride. Commuters also complain of a lack of transparency about whether these tips even reach the drivers.Vinay M, a 27-year-old from Indiranagar, said: “Drivers often cancel bookings or ask me to pay offline. These days, they don’t accept rides without a tip. Once, I had to pay double just to avoid being late for a meeting.”Prepaid auto stands near Metro stations have also become ineffective, with drivers refusing to follow the standard fare unless additional cash is offered. Even those willing to use the meter frequently demand Rs 30-60 extra at the end of the trip.Arpita Arun, a 24-year-old MBBS student who commutes from Rajajinagar to Mysuru Road, said her daily expenses have risen sharply. “Autos never use meters, and when we ask them, there’s always an excuse. What used to be a Rs 200 bike-taxi ride now costs me over Rs 300 by auto. The least the govt can do is enforce meter usage,” she said.Like Arpita, several students TOI spoke with said they are more affected than those with incomes. Vivan R Goyal, a 16-year-old PU student, said: “A ride that used to cost me Rs 120 now costs Rs 200 or more. If I ask them to go by meter, they demand Rs 100 extra. Why ban an affordable option if the alternative is this exploitative?”Some auto drivers admit they are raising prices to make up for lost earnings. “For years, bike taxis kept our rates low. Now that they’re gone, we’re charging more while we can,” said a 45-year-old driver from JP Nagar.A senior traffic officer said enforcement is ongoing but difficult. “We’re booking cases against violators, but the sudden bike-taxi ban has left thousands jobless. It’s better to regulate bike taxis legally than risk pushing people toward crime,” the officer said.
