Night-time Rapido riding: Bengaluru man earns ₹1,820 after 17 hours of work. See detailed earnings

A Bengaluru resident shared his experience as a part-time Rapido bike taxi rider, revealing the financial realities of gig work.

A Bengaluru resident’s first-hand experiment with bike-taxi work has sparked fresh online debate about whether gig platforms can realistically supplement income in the short term.

A Bengaluru resident's experience as a Rapido bike taxi rider for four days sparked debate on gig work's viability to sustain life.

Posting on Reddit’s r/Bangalore forum, the man documented his experience of working as a Rapido bike taxi rider for four days. In the post, he laid out a detailed account of the hours he spent on the road, the money he earned, and the costs he incurred, offering a rare, transparent look into the economics of part-time gig work.

He said he logged roughly four to five hours a day, mostly during late-night slots after 10 pm, when Rapido offers a 20 per cent night-time fare bonus that runs until 6 am. Choosing night shifts, he explained, helped maximise returns while avoiding daytime traffic.

The rider also noted that no commission was deducted from his fares. While he wasn’t entirely certain why, he speculated that it may have been linked to the recent nationwide protest by gig workers over declining pay, safety concerns, sudden account deactivations and the lack of social security protections.

Daily earnings fluctuated. On day one, he made ₹630 during a mix of evening and late-night rides across five hours. The second day brought in ₹750 over a similar time span. On the final two days, he rode for about three to four hours each night, earning ₹420 on both occasions.

By the end of the four-day stint, his total income stood at ₹2,220. After subtracting approximately ₹400 for fuel, he estimated his take-home earnings at around ₹1,820 for nearly 17 hours of riding.

Reflecting on the experience, he shared several takeaways: late-night demand was consistent, trips were quicker due to lighter traffic, and the night incentive significantly boosted pay-outs. With no platform commission involved, the earnings felt reasonable for the effort put in, he said.

However, he wrote, “Works well as a side hustle, not full-time income,” adding, “Not saying it’s amazing money, but for short-term or emergency cash, riding Rapido part-time (especially nights) is reasonable if you already own a bike.”

His four-day experiment showcased the potential earnings, challenges, and insights into whether gig work can genuinely supplement income.

He earned ₹2,220 over four days by working late-night shifts, noting that it's a viable side hustle but not a sustainable full-time income.

The Reddit post detailed four days of night shifts as a bike taxi rider, earning ₹1,820 after expenses.

The post drew widespread engagement. One commenter wrote, “My roommate does the same. 2-10 pm office work. 10-6am rapido. Target earn - 1000rs per night. Sometimes he misses but most of the time he achieves it. His office pay him 24000 per month. He is making more money by gig work than actual IT job.”