Cab shortage worsens at Bengaluru airport as BluSmart halts operations

BluSmart Mobility, a ride-hailing platform backed by Gensol Engineering, ceased accepting new bookings four days ago across key cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. 
| Photo Credit: file photo

Passengers travelling to and from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) are facing increased difficulties hailing cabs, following the abrupt suspension of operations by BluSmart, a popular electric cab aggregator. The withdrawal of the services has intensified an already dire shortage of airport transport options, with commuters reporting long waiting times and limited availability of other ride-hailing cab vehicles.

BluSmart Mobility, a ride-hailing platform backed by Gensol Engineering, ceased accepting new bookings four days ago across key cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The sudden halt comes in the wake of a probe by the Securities and Exchange Board of India into financial irregularities at Gensol Engineering, raising concerns about the long-term viability of BluSmart.

Loyal customer base

BluSmart had positioned itself as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional taxi services, attracting a loyal base of environmentally conscious commuters in Bengaluru. Its decision to discontinue services has left many regular users in a lurch, particularly those who depended on it for hassle-free, electric cab rides to the airport.

“I used to prefer BluSmart for my airport travel because it was reliable, affordable, and eco-friendly. Ever since it stopped, getting a cab has become a nightmare, especially during peak hours,” said Shashank Rao, a resident of Indiranagar who frequently travels for work.

Another commuter, Asha Menon, who recently flew to Kochi from Bengaluru, said, “I waited over 40 minutes to find a cab at the Ola-Uber pickup zone. Earlier, I could just pre-book a BluSmart and relax knowing it would arrive on time. Now, the uncertainty has made things very stressful.”

Limited supply

Kempegowda International Airport handled 41.88 million passengers in the last financial year, making it one of the busiest airports in India. Given its considerable distance from the city — over 35 km from the central business district — the availability of reliable cab services is critical for smooth transit. However, commuters say the situation on the ground is worsening by the day, with other cab aggregators unable to meet the demand.

“The airport is already far from the city centre, and the cab situation makes it worse. With BluSmart gone, the problem has only escalated. The Ola and Uber queues are long, and there’s no certainty the drivers will accept the ride,” Ms Asha added.

Dedicated pickup zone

In March 2023, BluSmart introduced a dedicated pickup zone at the Bengaluru airport, becoming the third app-based cab aggregator to do so after Ola and Uber. The move had been widely welcomed by frequent flyers, as BluSmart’s pre-scheduled services helped reduce unpredictability in airport travel. But with the company now halting operations, airport staff have started redirecting passengers who arrive at the BluSmart zone to other taxi stands.

“Airport officials are guiding everyone who comes to the BluSmart pickup point toward the Ola, Uber, or KSTDC taxi stands. It’s creating confusion among travellers who are not aware of the recent changes. There is no signage or communication from BluSmart either — many people are left waiting with no information,” said Punitha K., a frequent flyer from Jalahalli.

“Authorities and aggregators need to urgently address the growing gap in airport transportation. With a major player like BluSmart pulling out, the city’s dependence on a limited cab fleet may further strain the system — unless swift action is taken to fill the vacuum,” Ms Punitha added.