Once again, the Karnataka Transport Department has seized hundreds of unauthorized Rapido bike taxis in Bangalore. This seizure of bike taxis took place after protests by autorickshaw and cab drivers demanding stricter enforcement against illegal bike taxis. They have also protested for the implementation of uniform cab fares across the city.
Hundreds of bike taxis seized
As per the reports, on Thursday, July 4, the Karnataka Transport Department issued a directive to Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). In this directive, they directed them to form special investigation teams targeting unauthorized bike taxis, including electric ones.
The directive that became effective on July 5 has mandated daily inspections and stringent actions against illegal bike taxis. This initiative, according to the Karnataka Transport Department, is part of a broader effort to regulate bike taxi operations in response to mounting pressure from other transport sectors.
C. Mallikarjuna, the Additional Commissioner for Transport (Enforcement-South), announced, “The Electric Bike Taxi Scheme 2021 has been withdrawn, and we have decided to clamp down on unauthorized bike taxis. From July 5 onwards, special teams have been established in all 10 RTOs in Bengaluru to address unauthorized bike taxis, including electric ones, until further notice.”
Previous high court orders
While the Transport Department has taken decisive action, many people have argued that there is a lack of clarity regarding enforcement measures due to a previous Karnataka High Court directive.
Back in April 2024, the High Court ordered the state government to protect bike taxi operators. It stated that action should be taken against those who unlawfully obstruct their services. This legal backdrop has now added complexity to the current crackdown.
Adi Narayana, President of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, Karnataka, emphasized, “We want to clarify that bike taxi operations are protected by the orders of the High Court of Karnataka. All unions were made parties to the said case, and the High Court has clearly directed the state government to take action against any person who tries to harass or threaten Uber, Rapido, or any bike taxi drivers.”
Protests and Demands
The Federation of Private Transport Operators Association, which represents auto rickshaw, cab, and bus operators, came down to protest against bike taxis. This federation, led by Nataraj Sharma, has demanded a ban on illegal bike taxis. It has demanded the implementation of a “one city, one cab fare” policy, and the issuance of permits for school cabs.
Sharma stated, “The transport department has assured the federation to issue school cab permits from Saturday or Monday to ensure that school cabs and vans are streamlined and legal to ensure the safety of students. The department also assured implementing online special permits for vehicles with more than 12 seats and a crackdown against unauthorized advertising by Porter.”
Bike Taxi Welfare Association’s warning
In response to the crackdown, Adi Narayana issued a stern warning, stating, “Contempt proceedings will be initiated against anyone who attempts to harass or threaten Uber or Rapido bike taxi drivers. Some social media reports and posts have shown that a letter has been issued by the transport commissioner to seize EV bikes and unauthorized bike taxis. We strongly urge that if any such incidents are reported against our bike taxi union members, we will file contempt cases against such violating individuals in a personal capacity.”
Why Are These Bike Taxis Illegal?
The controversy surrounding bike taxis in Bangalore is not new. This primarily revolves around the use of private vehicles for commercial purposes. Many people have argued that these bike taxis are often illegal. There are two main reasons behind these bike taxis being illegal.
White Number Plate Vehicles and Commercial Use
The first thing that makes these bike taxis illegal is that under Indian law, vehicles with white number plates are designated for private use only. Hence, they cannot be legally used for commercial purposes.
Using private vehicles as bike taxis violates this regulation. This leads to their classification as unauthorized. This law has come under scrutiny at various times, and people have also argued that services like Rapido have operated without the necessary commercial licenses.
An RTO official commented, “Unauthorized bike taxis, including those operated by Rapido, do not have the required commercial licenses. If found operating, they will be seized as per law by the RTO officials, and legal action will be initiated against the operators.”
Insurance Issues and Safety Concerns
Apart from this, another critical issue is that insurers will not cover accidents involving vehicles used for commercial purposes if they are registered for private use. This poses significant safety and financial risks for both drivers and passengers.
In the event of an accident, neither the driver nor the passenger would be eligible for insurance claims. This could then lead to potential legal and financial complications.