Bengaluru commuters left high and dry as autos & cabs shy away from flooded roads

Bengaluru: Following continuous heavy rain on Tuesday, transportation in Bengaluru was significantly impacted, with residents reporting a shortage of autos and cabs on ride-hailing apps on Wednesday.

However, public transport services such as buses and the metro remained operational.

Local bus traffic controllers said the number of people returning to the city after Dasara has increased, with fewer travelling outside Bengaluru. "Due to the long weekend, we expect more people to return to the city on Sunday,” said a traffic controller at the Majestic bus stand.

Some travellers arriving at the Cantonment station and Shantinagar bus stand reported that cabs were either unavailable or charging nearly double the usual fare for short trips.

Many people said they stayed home to avoid venturing out in the rain. Those who did use public transport experienced prolonged delays due to traffic congestion and waterlogging in various parts of the city.

Commuters expressed frustration over the unavailability of auto-rickshaws on ride-hailing apps. “People who do not drive will desperately need autos or cabs to reach their workplaces when it rains non-stop, but none were available during this critical time,” said Anupama, a resident of JP Nagar.

Safety concerns  

Several auto drivers explained that they avoid operating in rainy weather due to safety concerns related to hidden potholes and waterlogged streets. “We have to consider the safety of our passengers and ourselves. We cannot take such risks,” said Siddaramu, an auto driver.

Nagesh, an Uber auto driver, added, “We prefer short rides within a three to four-kilometre radius and avoid longer trips.”

Tanveer Pasha of the Ola-Uber Drivers and Owners Association noted that heavy rain has sharply increased the demand for auto-rickshaws and cabs, making it challenging to accommodate everyone. “Even bike-taxi users and those who usually walk short distances are now opting for autos and cabs, which adds to the demand,” he explained.