Making ends meet in a fast-paced metropolis like Bengaluru, can be an overwhelming challenge. With high living costs, competitive job markets, and the constant race to stay ahead, people find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities together just to stay afloat. The daily grind is so fast-paced that it can lead to burnout and isolation.
In such an environment, it is not surprising to hear that many individuals choose side gigs as a way to both supplement their incomes and carve out small moments of respite from the chaos. However, as a Bengaluru woman recently discovered that some people’s reasons for choosing gig work extend beyond financial necessity.
Chaarmika Nagalla, a Bengaluru resident, shared on LinkedIn her experience that she had during her daily commute, she hailed a bike taxi and was greeted with an unexpected “Am I audible?”, which is a more common phrase in corporate Zoom meetings than on city streets. This made her discover that the rider was actually an Infosys employee working in the contract management team. Instead of spending his weekends idly, he had chosen to be a gig worker, by choosing to be employed in bike rides to make extra money and get out of his bed on weekends.
This did not just happen once but another time also when she took an Uber bike and found her rider, dressed in premium gear. He was an employee at a B2B event firm who seemed more interested in conversation than earning money. A similar incident went viral when a Microsoft employee shared that he drove an auto-rickshaw on weekends to avoid loneliness. For all these instances Chaarmika said that these are examples of a growing trend where gig work is not just a financial hustle but an emotional escape from isolation.
A user shared an idea in the comment section that suggested developing a car or bike-pooling app specifically designed for everyday commuters rather than professional drivers. The concept was that anyone could host a ride, and fellow commuters heading in the same direction could join in, paying a small fee. If adopted widely, it could reduce the strain on Bengaluru’s overcrowded roads and reduce pollution.
However, the idea wasn’t without its challenges. Others pointed out that similar apps had failed in the past due to regulatory barriers. Transport policies restrict private vehicles from offering point-to-point rides unless they have commercial licenses, often stifling innovation.
Another user also shared a personal experience when a bike taxi rider turned out to be a fellow employee, working weekends just to combat loneliness. These stories tell how these rides are more than just a means of transportation, they are moments of connection in a fast-paced, disconnected world.
In such an environment, it is not surprising to hear that many individuals choose side gigs as a way to both supplement their incomes and carve out small moments of respite from the chaos. However, as a Bengaluru woman recently discovered that some people’s reasons for choosing gig work extend beyond financial necessity.
Chaarmika Nagalla, a Bengaluru resident, shared on LinkedIn her experience that she had during her daily commute, she hailed a bike taxi and was greeted with an unexpected “Am I audible?”, which is a more common phrase in corporate Zoom meetings than on city streets. This made her discover that the rider was actually an Infosys employee working in the contract management team. Instead of spending his weekends idly, he had chosen to be a gig worker, by choosing to be employed in bike rides to make extra money and get out of his bed on weekends.
This did not just happen once but another time also when she took an Uber bike and found her rider, dressed in premium gear. He was an employee at a B2B event firm who seemed more interested in conversation than earning money. A similar incident went viral when a Microsoft employee shared that he drove an auto-rickshaw on weekends to avoid loneliness. For all these instances Chaarmika said that these are examples of a growing trend where gig work is not just a financial hustle but an emotional escape from isolation.
A user shared an idea in the comment section that suggested developing a car or bike-pooling app specifically designed for everyday commuters rather than professional drivers. The concept was that anyone could host a ride, and fellow commuters heading in the same direction could join in, paying a small fee. If adopted widely, it could reduce the strain on Bengaluru’s overcrowded roads and reduce pollution.
However, the idea wasn’t without its challenges. Others pointed out that similar apps had failed in the past due to regulatory barriers. Transport policies restrict private vehicles from offering point-to-point rides unless they have commercial licenses, often stifling innovation.
Another user also shared a personal experience when a bike taxi rider turned out to be a fellow employee, working weekends just to combat loneliness. These stories tell how these rides are more than just a means of transportation, they are moments of connection in a fast-paced, disconnected world.
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