Blusmart Mobility, a ride-hailing platform powered by Gensol Engineering, accepted new bookings four days ago in major cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore. |Picture source: File Photo
Passengers traveling to and from Kempegowda International Airport (Kia) are facing increasing difficulties after the popular electric cab aggregator Blusmart suddenly stopped the operation. The withdrawal of the service exacerbates already serious airport transport options, with commuters reporting longer waiting times and limited availability of other ride-cab vehicles.
Blusmart Mobility, a ride-hailing platform powered by Gensol Engineering, accepted new bookings four days ago in major cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore. The sudden halt after the Securities and Exchange Commission of India investigated financial violations for Gensol engineering, which raised concerns about the long-term feasibility of Blusmart.
Loyal customer base
Blusmart positioned itself as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional taxi services, attracting a loyal foundation for environmentally friendly commuters in Bangalore. Its decision to stop service has left many average users in trouble, especially those who rely on it to head to the airport in a worry-free electric cab.
“I used to prefer Blusmart on my airport trip because it is reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly. Taxi has been a nightmare since it stopped, especially during peak hours.” Indiranagar resident Shashank Rao often goes to work.
Another commuter who recently flew from Bangalore to Kochi, said: “I waited 40 minutes to find a taxi in the Ola-uber pickup area. Earlier, I could book a Blu-ray and relax and know it would arrive on time. Now, things that are uncertain make things very stressful.”
Limited supply
KempGodda International Airport handled 41.88 million passengers in the last fiscal year, making it one of India’s busiest airports. Given its large distance from the city – 35 km from the CBD, reliable taxi service is crucial for smooth transportation. But, commuters say the situation on the ground is getting worse every day and other taxi aggregators are unable to meet demand.
“The airport is already far from the city center and the situation in the cab has gotten worse. With the disappearance of Blusmart, the problem has only escalated. Ola and Uber have long queues and drivers are unable to accept the trip,” Ms. Asha added.
Dedicated pick-up area
In March 2023, Blusmart launched a dedicated pickup area at Bangalore Airport, becoming the third APP-based CAB aggregator after Ola and Uber. The move has been widely welcomed by frequent flyers as Blusmart’s pre-arranged service helps reduce the unpredictability of airport travel. But as the company now ceases operations, airport staff have begun redirecting passengers arriving in the Blusmart area to other taxi stalls.
“Airport officials are guiding everyone entering the Blusmart pick-up point toward Ola, Uber or KSTDC taxi. It creates confusion among travelers who are unaware of the recent changes. Blusmart also has no signs or communication.
Ms. Punitha added: “The authorities and polymerizers need to urgently address the gap in airport transport. With key players like Blusmart withdrawing, the city’s reliance on a limited fleet of taxis could further constitute a system damage – unless prompt action is taken to fill the vacuum.”
publishing – April 20, 2025 08:52 pm ist
