Bengaluru's notorious traffic struggles have led some residents to rely on bike taxis for quick commutes, but a recent experience by Chaarmikha Nagalla revealed an unexpected trend. She discovered that some riders were corporate employees, like an Infosys worker and a B2B event staffer, who used gig work as a productive or social outlet rather than just for extra income. This sparked discussions about potential ride-pooling apps for everyday commuters and the emotional undercurrents behind gig work, such as combating loneliness.
Bengaluru woman surprised to see her app-based ride's driver to be a techie working in an MNC.
Bengaluru’s chaotic traffic is a well-known struggle for daily commuters. With packed roads, endless honking, and slow-moving vehicles, getting anywhere on time feels like a minor victory. To navigate this maze, some residents have turned to quick and convenient ride-hailing options like bike taxis. But one woman’s recent experiment with these services revealed a deeper and surprising trend taking root in India’s tech capital.
Chaarmikha Nagalla, a Bengaluru resident, shared on LinkedIn how her everyday commute took an unexpected turn. While rushing to work, she hailed a bike taxi and was greeted with a distinctly corporate, “Am I audible?”—a phrase more common in Zoom calls than on city streets. Her curiosity led her to discover that the rider was actually an Infosys employee, working in the contract management team. Rather than spend his weekends scrolling through social media, he had chosen to be productive by earning extra money as a gig worker.
This wasn’t an isolated case. On another day, her Uber bike ride home came with a rider sporting premium gear. He turned out to be an employee at a B2B event firm who chose to complete a ride on his way home—more for conversation than cash. A similar story recently went viral, involving a Microsoft employee who drove an auto rickshaw on weekends simply to combat loneliness. She wondered if these stories reflect more than just financial hustle and hint at a deeper emotional undercurrent.
Internet reacts
A user suggested that a car or bike-pooling app designed specifically for everyday commuters—not professional drivers—could be a gamechanger. The idea is simple: anyone could host a ride from one location to another, and others heading in the same direction could pay and join. If widely adopted, such a system could significantly reduce both traffic congestion and pollution.
However, others pointed out that similar apps have existed in the past but failed to sustain as it struggled with regulatory hurdles. Current transport policies restrict private vehicles from offering point-to-point rides, a service allowed only under commercial licenses. These outdated frameworks often prevent innovative solutions from scaling.
Another user shared a personal experience that added a more emotional dimension. A bike taxi rider turned out to be an employee from the same company, working weekends simply to combat loneliness. The user highlighted that for some, gig work seems to fill a social void—highlighting unspoken issues of isolation and disconnection in a fast-paced, urban world where people often have no one to open up to.
Several users reflected on the deeper emotional layers of modern gig and hustle culture. One pointed out that these stories go beyond flexible jobs—they reveal a search for connection, autonomy, and meaning in a world where traditional roles no longer fit. Another highlighted the often-overlooked emotional toll of hustle culture, especially the growing loneliness and disconnection that can come with it. There was a shared sentiment that workplaces and society at large need to pay more attention to the psychological impact of these shifts.
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