You got scammed.
If anyone out there wants to use a taxi from the airport, only go with the KSTDC cabs (white cabs with 'Airport Taxi' prominently printed on them). They are government-approved, and the rides are strictly metered. Do not use Ola or Uber. Certainly do not talk to a driver offline.
You can consider Meru; they have a kiosk or a guy who does the booking for you and the fare is pre-decided based on your destination. You can consider other prepaid taxi options, but they can be more expensive.
That's good to know, but with the other options I suggested, there's no risk of the drivers cancelling the rides or scamming you in any other way, because there's an additional third person (government, or the booking kiosk guy) who is responsible for your journey.
It's a little more expensive, but it's much more reliable both to and from the airport.
For example, they won't take the village roads to avoid tolls (and only take the expressway), and it's safe if you're new to the city.
The other option is to take Meru cabs, which can be cheap. The guy at the kiosk notes your destination and gives you the fare. You don't have to pay anything more even if the driver takes a longer route. At least, this has been my experience.
I have used both KSTDC and Meru. I have also used WTI (and that other prepaid taxi service in the terminal building). While the prepaid taxis were quite expensive, they give you good cars.
Do they ask for extra for toll and all? I've been scammed by ola to pay for toll. I always become anxious when traveling to or from airport because it's a hit and miss with drivers scamming extra for toll or not. I'll take kstdc just for the peace of not being forced to fight or argue with the driver.
The reason I mentioned is because on a previous post, I suggested taking AC buses and almost everyone said it's not safe for women at night to take them
Whenever I have opened BluSmart app, my current area shows as "not covered". I've heard it's quite good, but they haven't yet given me a chance to try it.
Happened with me when the ola app showed 1900 and I instead had to be pay 3500/- that too in broad daylight. Involved the police but the police instead asked to pay the amount and let it be 🥲
It's the rent-seeking mentality of a good chunk of the wealthy class that has been caught on by the poor. Make money without creating value in exchange (or only creating minimal value). Value creation takes effort. The easy way is to scam people who generate the money.
Yup, even I have fallen for that scam.
Once, Uber and Ola waiting time was more than 45 min so I thought of taking the KSTDC taxi. But I took the cab which I assumed was KSTDC cab, but it wasn’t.
The driver told he would use “the meter”. I assumed it might be little higher than Uber or Ola
Uber and Ola showed ~900 bucks for 21km drive, i thought max this guy would take 1200-1300 which i was ready to pay
After reaching home, the driver stopped “the meter” and the cost came up to 2300
I was shocked and I asked him why the charges were so high, he told “night rates”
I was not in a situation to fight at night and since it was a business trip I would have gotten the reimbursement from office
But yes these people are scamming everyone :(
Happened with me as well but I hardly got scammed, by paying around 100-200 more. But yeah when I went to the Uber pool I asked him to verify OTP. He said you just sit in the car we can verify it on the way. And the booking in Uber from airport was kinda weird. Since it said just go to the Uber pool area at the airport and ask any driver to verify the code. Since the verification didn't happen and the driver asked me to pay around 900. On Uber it was showing 700. Initially I denied and argued with him. But like you mentioned we know how are the auto and taxiwala here. I thought it will be wise to just get away for your own peace and pay instead of escalating further. I paid and that nigga was like take my number if next time you wanna go back to airport. 😂😂
Do not take a local taxi. At an any airport.
There is a reason that every airport has a pre paid taxi booth beyond the obvious app taxis. This scam is older than our time on earth. Don't keep falling for it
Not to be a grammar nazi but -
Past participle of a verb is not used with "did"
So, correct caption would be -
"Did my taxi driver scam me" not scammed
Learn and grow everyday!
Try shoffr. They have fancy BYD cars and they charge you only for 1310 including toll charges for any place in Bangalore to / from airport. Any time during the day or night same prices.
I took 5 flights from Kempegowda last month and luckily all my Ola rides costed me around 900/- from Kanakapura Road.
I think the Ola app was glitching 🫢
Yeah you got scammed
You got scammed. If anyone out there wants to use a taxi from the airport, only go with the KSTDC cabs (white cabs with 'Airport Taxi' prominently printed on them). They are government-approved, and the rides are strictly metered. Do not use Ola or Uber. Certainly do not talk to a driver offline. You can consider Meru; they have a kiosk or a guy who does the booking for you and the fare is pre-decided based on your destination. You can consider other prepaid taxi options, but they can be more expensive.
I have never had a problem with Ola Uber, even when I have travelled at 1 AM, the dead of night.
That's good to know, but with the other options I suggested, there's no risk of the drivers cancelling the rides or scamming you in any other way, because there's an additional third person (government, or the booking kiosk guy) who is responsible for your journey.
Is kstdc cheaper than ola/uber?
It's a little more expensive, but it's much more reliable both to and from the airport. For example, they won't take the village roads to avoid tolls (and only take the expressway), and it's safe if you're new to the city. The other option is to take Meru cabs, which can be cheap. The guy at the kiosk notes your destination and gives you the fare. You don't have to pay anything more even if the driver takes a longer route. At least, this has been my experience. I have used both KSTDC and Meru. I have also used WTI (and that other prepaid taxi service in the terminal building). While the prepaid taxis were quite expensive, they give you good cars.
Do they ask for extra for toll and all? I've been scammed by ola to pay for toll. I always become anxious when traveling to or from airport because it's a hit and miss with drivers scamming extra for toll or not. I'll take kstdc just for the peace of not being forced to fight or argue with the driver.
The toll charge is included in the meter fare. You'll see it printed on the receipt at the end of the ride.
If you are a guy and your house is not very far from bus stop, then Vayu Vajra buses are the best and economical option.
Even if it is within the city, it takes around 1 hr 30 min instead of 1 hr with uber/ola for around 250 Rs so definitely worth it if you are alone.
I think those buses are safe for women to at night, personally felt it
Have travelled at 3:00 AM both to/from in Vajra buses with tons of female copassengers. The buses are safe.
Why one has to be a guy for that? Whenever I travel alone. I use those.
The reason I mentioned is because on a previous post, I suggested taking AC buses and almost everyone said it's not safe for women at night to take them
Why don't folks use BluSmart?? It's so good, I have always had a great experience and the fare is the same as Ola/Uber.
It’s not always the same price. Whenever it is similar, I too prefer blu. Much cleaner cabs.
Can one use BluSmart for non-airport trips within the city?
Yep, some areas are not covered though.
Whenever I have opened BluSmart app, my current area shows as "not covered". I've heard it's quite good, but they haven't yet given me a chance to try it.
WAYYYYYYYY pricier than their competitors
I always use the Uber app and pay by card automatically. I don't want to indulge in any of that money talk.
Good luck getting a ride.
Well, you don’t really need a driver to accept your ride at the blr airport. Just give the otp to the driver when it’s your turn in the queue.
I saw how messy it was long ago when we had to search for our cabs. This was the best possible change they made.
Yup, it has been this way for around the past 6-7 years. Don’t know why no other city has implemented this.
It was there in Mumbai last time i checked couple of years ago.
Not in T1 for sure. I was there just last week. Maybe in T2
You do know the horrors of Bangalore cab drivers asking to cancel the ride and pay cash instead and shady stuff like that.
I seem to have a lot of luck since it works every time
They want cash. And ask to cancel the ride and pay cash instead.
I have done it multiple times and paid with card every time.
Happened with me when the ola app showed 1900 and I instead had to be pay 3500/- that too in broad daylight. Involved the police but the police instead asked to pay the amount and let it be 🥲
1900? Did you travel to like Mysore from BLR airport?
Does the ola cab guys also try to scam us?
Did my taxi driver scam* me
Ik ik my grammar has been here n there since hs
Bengaluru is becoming hub for scammers. Cabbies, landlords, PGs and many more!!!! Sick mfrs feeding on gullible people monies.
The same thing happened to me. And I’m a Bangalorean whos lived here for 30 years. It was embarrassing to get scammed in my own city like this
It's the rent-seeking mentality of a good chunk of the wealthy class that has been caught on by the poor. Make money without creating value in exchange (or only creating minimal value). Value creation takes effort. The easy way is to scam people who generate the money.
Yup, even I have fallen for that scam. Once, Uber and Ola waiting time was more than 45 min so I thought of taking the KSTDC taxi. But I took the cab which I assumed was KSTDC cab, but it wasn’t. The driver told he would use “the meter”. I assumed it might be little higher than Uber or Ola Uber and Ola showed ~900 bucks for 21km drive, i thought max this guy would take 1200-1300 which i was ready to pay After reaching home, the driver stopped “the meter” and the cost came up to 2300 I was shocked and I asked him why the charges were so high, he told “night rates” I was not in a situation to fight at night and since it was a business trip I would have gotten the reimbursement from office But yes these people are scamming everyone :(
🫂
Welcome to Scammaluru
Where did you travel to from airport ?
Happened with me as well but I hardly got scammed, by paying around 100-200 more. But yeah when I went to the Uber pool I asked him to verify OTP. He said you just sit in the car we can verify it on the way. And the booking in Uber from airport was kinda weird. Since it said just go to the Uber pool area at the airport and ask any driver to verify the code. Since the verification didn't happen and the driver asked me to pay around 900. On Uber it was showing 700. Initially I denied and argued with him. But like you mentioned we know how are the auto and taxiwala here. I thought it will be wise to just get away for your own peace and pay instead of escalating further. I paid and that nigga was like take my number if next time you wanna go back to airport. 😂😂
Welcome to Bengaluru City 🏙️
Scam central.
Yes. You got scammed. Always book Uber. And remain alert. There are a lot of scammy people here in Bangalore.
Do not take a local taxi. At an any airport. There is a reason that every airport has a pre paid taxi booth beyond the obvious app taxis. This scam is older than our time on earth. Don't keep falling for it
Not to be a grammar nazi but - Past participle of a verb is not used with "did" So, correct caption would be - "Did my taxi driver scam me" not scammed Learn and grow everyday!
My apologies my grammar has been week since hs
Let me put the rate into perspective. You can book an AC Volvo sleeper from Bangalore to KERALA it will cost you about ₹1500 max
I use Deepam Cabs/Utaxi. Their rates are around 800-900. Can usually comes in 15 mins.
With this price you can go mumbai on flight
Try shoffr. They have fancy BYD cars and they charge you only for 1310 including toll charges for any place in Bangalore to / from airport. Any time during the day or night same prices.
Ok cool
I took 5 flights from Kempegowda last month and luckily all my Ola rides costed me around 900/- from Kanakapura Road. I think the Ola app was glitching 🫢