Over 100 bike taxis seized in Bengaluru for operating despite Karnataka HC order

Indian Express

4 hours ago

Officials of the road transport offices across Bengaluru seized 103 bike taxis on Monday for operating despite the Karnataka High Court's directive to suspend operations in the state.
The transport department officials have also booked the riders of the 103 bike taxis across RTO divisions in the central, west, south, north, east, Electronic City, and KR Puram, among others.
According to RTO officials, the riders were fined Rs 5,000 for operating bike taxis without permission and additionally for insufficient documentation.
'We have seized their vehicles and fined them for operating without permission, in line with the high court's directive. Following the payment of the fine amount, we will release the vehicle after two days,' said an RTO official.
The crackdown comes after the high court on April 2 ordered all bike taxi operators, including Rapido, Uber and Ola, to suspend their operations, pending the formation of rules under section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act by the state government.
The deadline to wind down operation is Monday (June 16), set after the aggregators sought additional four weeks, modifying a single-bench order that had granted them six weeks to suspend operations.
The ban came after a division bench of the high court refused to stay the April 2 single-bench order that directed all bike taxi operators to suspend operations within six weeks. Acting Chief Justice Kameswar Rao observed that an interim relief could have been given to aggregators, provided the state government considered drafting a bike taxi policy. 'However, in this case, the state government has clearly made a policy decision (of not being interested to frame a bike taxi policy),' he noted.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has emphasised that the state government is not inclined towards drafting a bike taxi policy and that white-board two wheelers cannot be used for commercial purposes.
However, Rapido and Uber continued to offer courier services through bikes, which eventually also drew criticism. Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan wrote on X, 'Karnataka High Court has banned bike taxis. But aggregators continue to operate under the guise of 'Bike Parcel'. Citizens are now being reduced to mere parcels in this legal evasion. Karnataka Government has failed to implement the law. Are aggregators above the law?'
He added, 'This isn't about supporting or opposing bike taxis. It's about upholding the law. No aggregator can flout Karnataka High Court orders under the guise of 'Bike Parcel' or 'Moto Courier'. This is not innovation, it is contempt of court and a challenge to judicial authority.'
Meanwhile, all three major aggregator platforms–Rapido, Uber and Ola–removed the bike taxi feature from their apps on Monday, in line with the high court's order.
Uber's spokesperson said in a press statement, 'Uber has taken the difficult decision to suspend bike taxi operations in Karnataka from June 16 following an order from the Hon'ble High Court. This will negatively impact the many thousands of riders who rely on bike taxis for their daily mobility needs, as well as the many thousands of drivers who rely on the service for their livelihood. We will continue engaging with the Government of Karnataka to help shape a progressive policy framework that enables safe, accessible, and affordable mobility options for everyone.'
In a notification to its customers, Rapido said on the app, 'Starting June 16, 2025, our Bike Taxi services in Karnataka will be paused in compliance with recent High Court orders.
While we deeply believe in the value bike taxis bring to daily commuters, we respect the law and will fully abide by the directive. We remain committed to the communities we serve and hopeful for a future where convenient, affordable mobility is accessible to all.
We are navigating the way forward with the government to bring your favourite bike taxis back on the road soon.'
Bike taxi associations also gave a representation to BJP MLA Ravi Subramanya seeking urgent relief from the suspension of bike taxis. The drivers demanded clear rules on licensing, insurance, and safety rather than being criminalised overnight.
'We're part of the same informal economy that Karnataka claims to support. Why are we being shut out without a conversation?' asked Mohammed Salim, president of the Namma Bike Taxi Association.
Meanwhile, Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union (TGPWU), and Inayath Ali, president of the Karnataka App-Based Workers' Union, have welcomed the high court's decision declining a stay on the single-judge order that held bike taxis cannot operate in the state unless relevant rules are framed.
Shaik Salauddin said, 'We appreciate the Karnataka High Court's order. It underscores the necessity for a clear legal framework for bike taxis and highlights the ongoing violation of regulations by companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. These companies have been cheating workers by ignoring the rules and putting their livelihoods at risk.'
Salauddin demanded strict action against the aggregator companies for non-compliance and called on the transport department to promptly issue clear guidelines and conduct special camps to convert private two-wheelers into commercial vehicles. 'This will help workers operate legally and safeguard their income and future,' he said.
Inayath Ali said, 'We welcome this order as it protects the livelihoods of cab and auto drivers who lose their income due to unfair competition. If bike taxis are allowed in future, they should be permitted only with yellow number plate (commercial vehicle) registration and proper oversight by the authorities.'