India's First Heli-Taxi Service Launched in Bangalore: Know Ticket Rates, Route and Timings
To book the ride, people will have to download the application 'Heli Taxii'. It can accommodate 6 people at a time.
Bengaluru, March 6: People of Bangalore are in respite as the first heli-taxi service has been launched in the city. The maiden trip was from Electronics City and the Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) and the people who took the ride are definitely happy. The first heli-taxi, a Bell 407 helicopter, had three passengers on board. It started off at 3.35 pm from a Thumby Aviation helipad in Electronic City to KIA on Monday. The journey which usually takes a good 2 hours, thanks to the city traffic, was completed in just about 15 minutes.
Thumby Aviation plans to start flights to Hindustan Airport from KIAL in the next two weeks. The trip costs Rs. 3500 excluding GST. The total fare comes upto Rs. 4130/person. Ajay Kumar, one of the passengers on the maiden trip told The Times of India, “Reaching airport in just 12 minutes was only a fantasy, but now it has become reality. It is unbelievable, I never thought something like this could be possible. Heli taxi took off from 6:35am from Electronic City and reached KIA at 6:50am. I was ready to board the flight at 7am which is amazing.”
The other passengers have also lauded the new service which is undoubtedly the best way to beat the traffic in the IT capital. It may seem costly but for those who want to catch flights urgently and have a lot to travel around work, then the service is a boon. "We have received an overwhelming response from the passengers. Some asked us why we didn't start this service earlier. They are very comfortable and also saves time particularly during peak hours when there is a heavy traffic" said Thumby Aviation Chairman and Managing director Captain K N G Nair in a news report. The number of trips will vary according to the demand but from the looks of it, they are sure to increase.
Currently, the heli-taxi service is operated from 6:30am to 9:30 am to 3:15 pm to 6:15 pm between KIA and Electronic City. Passengers can avail this facility within the international airport, at a distance of just 1 kilometer from KIA. To book the ride, people will have to download the application 'Heli Taxii'. It can accommodate 6 people at a time.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 06, 2018 03:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).