Bike Taxi Ban Sparks Chaos in Karnataka as Commuters Turn to Carpooling

Bike taxi services in Karnataka have been banned, but some aggregators like Uber and Ola continue to operate despite the High Court's order. The ban has been implemented due to safety concerns, but commuters are lamenting the loss of an affordable transport service. The Transport Department is ready to take action against bike taxi operations, but riders have written to the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi requesting a sustainable solution.

Karnataka's ban on bike taxis has come into effect, following a High Court order that refused to stay an earlier directive. The state government has cited safety concerns and the need for a regulatory framework as reasons for the ban. The Transport Department has warned of strict action against non-compliant aggregators, but some major players like Uber and Ola have continued to offer bike taxi services.

Rapido, one of the prominent aggregators, has paused its bike taxi services and introduced a new 'Bike Parcel' option in compliance with the High Court's order [1]. The company has expressed its commitment to the communities it serves and is hopeful for a future where convenient, affordable mobility is accessible to all.

The ban has sparked concerns among commuters who rely on bike taxis for affordable and efficient transport, particularly for first and last-mile connectivity. Some commuters have reported having to shell out more money to hire autorickshaws, with one user lamenting the increased cost from Rs 55 to Rs 85 for a similar journey [2].

The ban comes after a division bench of the Karnataka High Court refused to stay a single bench’s April order that directed all bike taxi operators to suspend operations within six weeks. The acting chief justice noted that an interim relief could have been given to aggregators if the state government considered drafting a bike taxi policy [2].

Several industry bodies and workers' associations have requested the state government to roll back the ban and introduce a comprehensive bike taxi policy. The Namma Bike Taxi Association, representing thousands of gig workers, has written to the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi, expressing concerns over the livelihood of its members [2].

The Transport Department maintains that using two-wheelers registered for private use for commercial purposes is illegal under existing regulations. However, workers' groups argue that instead of imposing a complete prohibition, the state should introduce licensing norms and operational guidelines to allow bike taxis to function legally [3].

The ban has dealt a major blow to platforms like Rapido, Ola, and Uber, which had been facilitating two-wheeler ride services in cities like Bengaluru. The development has triggered concern among gig economy workers who rely on these platforms for their livelihoods [3].

The situation highlights the need for a balanced approach that addresses safety concerns while also providing affordable transport options for commuters and livelihood opportunities for gig workers.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/bike-taxi-ban-in-karnataka-rapido-claims-it-paused-service-while-ola-uber-still-offer-rides/articleshow/121877068.cms
[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/rapido-pauses-bike-taxi-operations-karnataka-following-hc-order-10069511/
[3] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/rapido-suspends-bike-taxi-service-in-karnataka-rolls-out-bike-parcel-service-101750050595363.html