BENGALURU: The cost of booking Uber and Ola cabs from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has increased due to a rise in the airport pickup fee. The updated fees reflect a significant hike, with Uber’s charges rising by 23-40% and Ola’s by 25%.

  • Uber: The pickup fee for Terminal 1 has increased from ₹187 to ₹230, while for Terminal 2, it has risen from ₹187 to ₹260.
  • Ola: The pickup fee has gone up from ₹172 to ₹215 for both terminals.

Reason for the Increase:

The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates KIA, has raised the pickup fee to cover the costs of providing designated pickup points for transport aggregators. According to Uber, this fee is entirely passed on to the airport and is not retained by the company. The updated fares for airport trips reflect these increased pickup fees. Uber emphasizes that fare estimates, including their commission and applicable taxes, are shown upfront to riders at the time of booking.

BIAL’s Statement:

A BIAL spokesperson explained that the authorized cab services at KIA include KSTDC, Ola, Uber, Refex Mobility, WTI, COR, and Blusmart. All commercial partners, including ground transport providers, are selected through tenders and must adhere to license conditions and permits set by the transport department. Fares are determined according to transport department-approved tariffs, which are subject to change.

Historical Context:

In May, BIAL proposed an entry fee for private and commercial vehicles accessing the arrival pickup points. The plan included a fee of ₹150 for the first seven minutes and ₹300 for the next seven minutes for commercial vehicles, with private vehicles having a free first seven minutes and ₹150 for the following seven minutes. The proposal faced strong opposition from commercial vehicle drivers, leading BIAL to abandon the plan.

Ola’s Response:

Ola has not yet commented on the increase in pickup fees or the impact on fares.

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