Date:13/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101360970300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

KSTDC to launch taxi service from airport

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) that was a leading taxi provider at the HAL Airport will soon be present at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) with the launch of Karnataka Taxis.

The corporation would be the third taxi operator to offer services from the BIA. The air-conditioned taxis will run on the RTO fixed fares of Rs. 15 a kilometre. “We have received permission to run 100 taxis from the airport and the operations will commence in a couple of days,” KSTDC Managing Director Vinay Luthra told The Hindu.

KSTDC was the leading taxi operator from the HAL Airport, and had a fleet of 275 taxis that offered services to the passengers.

However, when the BIA was inaugurated, the KSTDC lost out to two private operators leading to protests by the taxi drivers who had lost their jobs.

Mr. Luthra said: “We have secured license for 100 taxis.”

With the launch of taxi services from the BIA, some of the jobs that were lost after the closure of HAL Airport could be repatriated, he added.