On Monday, June 18, 2025, Karnataka’s ban on bike taxi services officially took effect. This came after the Karnataka High Court decided to halt bike taxi services in the state until a regulatory framework was put in place. While certain ride aggregators tried to operate through loopholes, offering customers to “parcel” themselves on bikes, others stopped plying on Karnataka roads. Meanwhile, Bengalureans have taken to social media to voice their frustration about the instant surge in auto fares and taxi fares following the bike taxi ban in Bengaluru.
After Karnataka Banned Bike Taxis, Auto & Bike Fares Surge Significantly
As per a report by Hindustan Times, commuters across Bengaluru are facing a massive surge in auto fares this week. The price surge in auto and taxi fares comes after a statewide ban on bike taxis. Almost overnight, Bengalureans reported that minimum fare for autos have increased from ₹30 to ₹36. Others reported a 25% hike in taxi and auto fares in India’s ‘Silicon Valley’.
In just a span of a night, the daily commute for Bengalureans has become significantly expensive. Moreover, some reported that booking an auto on an app was difficult without adding extra tips or agreeing to pay more than the minimum fare. A source from a leading ride-hailing aggregator told Deccan Herald that the surge pricing is due to the high demand. Following the bike taxi ban, Bengalureans have no choice but to lean on autos and taxis for their daily commute.
Netizens Share Their Frustrations On X
Many Bengalureans took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their frustrations at the present commute situation in Bengaluru.
Chenna Someshwara stated that offline autos refuse to go by the meter and charge “arbitrary lump sum” amounts. The X user pointed out that while rules exist, the enforcement remains dismal. Another person shared a screenshot from a ride-hailing app.
The app asked him to opt for a “boosted search”, where he needed to pay a higher amount to book an auto. Commuter Rahul Nazareth commented that auto drivers in Bengaluru have got a license for daylight robbery. He claimed that he was being charged ₹90 for a 1 km distance.
Meanwhile, Bengalureans, have you also noticed a significant surge in auto and taxi fares in the city?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Dmitry Rukhlenko and Rahul Nazareth/ X
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First Published: June 18, 2025 12:08 PM
