Bengaluru Airport Passengers Struggle with 800-Meter Walk to Taxis, Frustration Mounts

Passengers arriving at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru are facing significant inconvenience due to newly implemented traffic and curbside pickup regulations at Terminals 1 (T1) and 2 (T2). The policy requires passengers with pre-booked private taxis to walk nearly 800 meters from the terminals to designated pickup zones in parking areas P3 and P4, sparking frustration among travelers and taxi operators alike.

New Policy and Its Impact

The airport’s curbside pickup policy was introduced to prevent illegal parking, middlemen, and congestion outside the terminal entrances. Under this rule, only authorized airport aggregator taxis are allowed to pick up passengers directly from the curbside. Private taxis, including long-distance and outstation cabs, must now wait in remote parking areas, requiring passengers to navigate long ramps, high sidewalks, corridors, and multiple lifts while carrying heavy luggage.

Senior citizens, families with young children, and passengers with mobility issues are most affected. Many travelers have described the change as insensitive and poorly planned, highlighting the difficulty of walking such long distances immediately after landing.

Lane System Adds to Confusion

Passengers at T1 now encounter a complex lane system:

• Lane 1: Government vehicles
• Lane 2: Airport aggregator taxis
• Lanes 3–5: Private white-board vehicles
• Remaining lanes: Premium app-based services

While passengers using airport taxis can board immediately, those with private cabs must navigate this complex system. At T2, strict pickup deadlines of eight minutes further exacerbate the chaos, leaving drivers and passengers stressed.

Passenger and Taxi Operator Reactions

On Monday morning, confusion and frustration were evident at both terminals. Travelers asked for directions, pre-booked private taxi drivers argued with security personnel, and tempers flared. Jaipur-based passenger Rakesh Sharma complained that walking nearly a kilometer with elderly parents, one with knee issues, was extremely taxing. Similarly, Anita Fernandes, traveling from Goa with two children, called the experience “agonizing” and criticized the lack of staff to guide passengers.

Private taxi operators have voiced concerns that the policy affects their livelihood. Many travelers cancel bookings mid-way to avoid the walk, opting for airport taxis instead, leaving drivers frustrated and blamed for circumstances beyond their control.

Passengers at T2 describe the situation as even more stressful. Mohammad Irfan, arriving from Lucknow, said, “After a three-hour flight, it felt like I was running to save my driver from a fine,” reflecting the chaos created by the tight pickup windows and new regulations.

The new airport policy, while aimed at controlling congestion, has inadvertently created logistical challenges and passenger dissatisfaction, prompting calls for better planning and communication to ensure smoother airport experiences.