Bengaluru: Commuters now prefer autos over Ola / Uber

Commuters prefer to travel by autorickshaws during the pandemic.

Cab-aggregators like Ola and Uber had been the choice of commuters in Bengaluru since they started operations. However, due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, commuters are now preferring autorickshaws which are open on both sides and allow better air circulation compared to taxis.

According to a media report, people are now preferring autorickshaws due to their open build. Further, for shorter distances, autos work out much cheaper than taxis. App-based aggregators have noticed the trend and have started bringing autos on their platform as well. Uber has started auto rentals which allow a long duration trip with multiple stops. Demand for such services has increased as cities have begun the unlock process.

App-based cabs were in good demand before the outbreak of the pandemic thanks to the convenience of on-demand availability, option of shared mobility and air-conditioned cars at reasonable rates. Most of the autos used to ply without meters and demand 2-way fares for destinations they didn't prefer to go to.

Source