Bengaluru airport's new cab rules: 'Exhausting' 800-metre luggage trek leaves flyers fuming

A newly enforced traffic policy at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), intended to curb terminal chaos, has instead sparked significant outcry from travellers and cab operators.

The regulations, which restrict kerbside pick-ups for most pre-booked private cabs, are forcing arriving passengers into an 800-metre trek with their luggage, a journey described by many as exhausting and poorly planned.

According to a report by TOI, Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) rolled out the revised traffic management system at Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) to address illegal parking, touting and congestion. Under the new rules, only taxis affiliated with the airport’s official aggregator service are permitted to collect passengers directly from the arrival kerbside.

All other private pre-booked vehicles, including outstation cabs, have been relegated to designated pickup zones in the P3 and P4 parking areas. For weary travellers fresh off a flight, this translates to a 15 to 17-minute walk. The route involves navigating elevated walkways, ramps, long corridors and multiple lifts while hauling baggage — a particular hardship for the elderly, those with mobility issues and families with young children.

At T1, the kerbside now operates a multi-lane system: the first lane for government vehicles, the second for airport taxis, lanes three to five for private vehicles and remaining lanes for premium app-based services. While this creates a direct path for airport cab users, it leaves others facing the lengthy walk.

The situation at T2 introduces a different pressure. Drivers there face a strict eight-minute pick-up window to avoid penalties, creating what passengers describe as a stressful, frantic race against the clock immediately upon landing.

Chaos was visibly evident on Monday morning with confused passengers seeking directions and frustrated drivers clashing with security personnel. A common complaint among travellers was the lack of prior communication or a grace period before the policy’s implementation.

Rakesh Sharma, a first-time visitor from Jaipur, was cited by TOI as saying that his elderly parents, one of whom has knee problems, were subjected to the long walk without warning. He described the experience as extremely stressful.

Another passenger, Anita Fernandez, who arrived from Goa with two children, called the new arrangement a “nightmare,” stating that the expectation of basic convenience after paying various travel charges had been upended.

The impact extends to cab operators, particularly private and outstation drivers, who report a direct hit to their livelihoods. Many say passengers are cancelling bookings upon learning of the walk and are opting for pricier airport cabs instead. Srinath R, a private cab operator with over a decade of service at KIA, reportedly said drivers are bearing the brunt of passenger anger for a policy beyond their control.

The overarching sentiment, as summarised by passenger Mohammed Irfan who flew in from Lucknow, is that an airport arrival should be a seamless transition, not a source of fresh stress. He noted a lack of clear signage and assistance, turning what should be a simple pick-up into an arduous sprint.