Following the Karnataka government’s ban on bike taxi services, many riders have shifted to contacting commuters directly via WhatsApp. Regular passengers, particularly those commuting from Metro stations, tech parks, and office hubs, say they are now receiving personal messages from riders offering pickups at the same fares as before.
Drivers are using saved phone numbers from previous rides, parcel deliveries, and online payments to reach out. “I used to book a ride from the Metro station to my office. Now, the same rider messages me with his live location and asks if I need a lift,” said Ananya, who works in Whitefield.
Some riders are exploiting parcel delivery bookings to solicit passenger rides. Commuters reported that when they book a parcel, riders often call to ask if it’s actually a person traveling, offering to cancel the delivery and arrange a direct pickup instead.
In areas with heavy demand—such as Koramangala, Bellandur, Electronic City, and Silk Board—riders are urging commuters to save their contact details for future trips. Shivam Kumar, a software engineer, recounted, “I booked a parcel from Indiranagar to Manyata Tech Park. The rider called and suggested I contact him directly for passenger rides.”
While some commuters appreciate the convenience and lower cost compared to autorickshaws—often demanding ₹120-₹150 for trips under 2 km—others are uneasy about their personal data being used without consent. Many argue the government must introduce practical alternatives to avoid making last-mile travel unaffordable and chaotic.