Bengaluru BBA student works as app-based bike taxi driver for 3 months, shares what he earned and learned about gig economy

A second-year BBA student from Bengaluru has attracted attention online after documenting his three-month stint as a Rapido captain, a side hustle he took up during his college vacation to understand how the platform's algorithm and the broader gig economy operate.

The student said he initially had little understanding of how the platform worked but gradually identified areas with higher demand, which helped him improve his earnings. He also used food delivery to supplement his income when passenger bookings slowed during the afternoon.

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Student says he earned up to Rs 1,200 on a good day

According to the student, his typical working hours were from 8am to 4.30pm. On a good day, he could earn around Rs 1,200, excluding fuel costs and other expenses.

"For me, it was actually a pretty good side hustle. But it also made me think a lot about people who depend on gig work as their entire livelihood. I didn't really take breaks during those hours," he wrote.

When ride requests became less frequent in the afternoon, he said he began accepting food delivery orders to keep earning.

"Sometimes the food is ready immediately. Other times you're standing there for 20-25 minutes waiting for them to prepare it," he said.

From Majestic to railway stations

For three months, the student said he regularly worked in and around busy locations such as Majestic and railway stations, where he found greater demand.

He said some auto drivers gave him looks while he was working, but he was not threatened or confronted by any of them.

The student also shared screenshots from his earnings dashboard with his post. In May, he completed 96 orders and earned Rs 5,650. His earnings rose to Rs 16,660 in June. In July, he completed 233 orders and earned Rs 14,222 before ending the stint.

‘It wasn't just about the Rs 1,200/day’

Reflecting on the experience, the student said the stint gave him a closer understanding of the challenges faced by people who rely on gig work as their main source of income.

"It wasn't just about the Rs 1,200/day. I got to see what gig work actually feels like from the worker's side, the waiting, fuel costs, uncertainty, platform rules, customer issues, restaurant problems and the constant pressure to keep moving," he said.

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Social media users praise detailed account

The post drew largely positive reactions online, with users appreciating the student's detailed account of his experience.

One user wrote, "Amazing post, thanks for sharing your insights."

Another said the student had presented the experience positively and encouraged him to maintain the same attitude while staying grounded.

A third user highlighted the importance of customers being prepared when placing cash-on-delivery orders. "Very interesting insight. Thank you. Also, anybody ordering cash on delivery, please keep the amount ready. Don't try to search for money after they come or don't take five minutes just to open the door. Time is money for most people, particularly for gig workers," the user wrote.

Another commenter shared a similar experience from their own BBA days, saying they worked from 7am to 11am and again from 4pm to 9pm, earning around Rs 1,500 including incentives before eventually quitting.

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