Following the Karnataka High Court’s refusal to stay the State government’s directive banning bike taxis, aggregators such as Rapido have paused operations across the State from June 16. However, daily commuters, unwilling to give up the convenience and affordability of bike taxis, are increasingly booking rides under the ‘parcel’ category on these platforms to get around.
“I had no option,” said Netra (name changed), a marketing professional, who used a bike taxi daily to reach the Nallurhalli metro station from her home. “Auto fares have shot up nearly 1.5 times, and booking an auto is also difficult. I had to speak to the driver after confirming and paid the fare as shown under the parcel slab.”
Post the ban, apps such as Rapido now only show the ‘bike parcel’ option, and Ola has removed the bike taxi feature entirely.
“Bike taxis have been a lifesaver when running late. Banning them will only worsen the situation, increasing demand for autos and cabs, which are already in short supply,” said Oyshee Bose, Senior Consultant at a Big 4 firm.
Harshal Muley, Senior Data Engineer, echoed this, noting that “as cities grapple with growing mobility demands, tech-enabled, shared transport models play a vital role in making urban commute faster, more inclusive and sustainable. Any policy shift should consider the mobility needs of the millions who rely on such services”.
Legal, policy gap widens
On June 14, the Karnataka High Court’s division bench declined to stay an earlier single-judge order directing bike taxi operators to halt services. As a result, the government’s ban has come into full effect. Rapido, in an in-app message to users, stated: “Starting June 16, our bike taxi services in Karnataka will be paused in compliance with recent High Court orders... We are navigating the way forward with the government to bring your favourite bike taxis back on the road soon.”
The court has issued notices to the state and other stakeholders, seeking responses by June 20, with the next hearing scheduled for June 24.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told businessline that scooters and motorbikes were not licensed for commercial use. “There are 1.75 lakh autos and taxis in the State who pay quarterly taxes. These bike taxis don’t pay anything. Scooters and bikes are given for personal use, not for commercial operations.”
Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary of the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) and Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), welcomed the court’s order, but said it highlights the urgent need for a clear legal framework. “Companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido have been violating rules and putting workers’ livelihoods at risk,” he said.
Adding to the concerns, Adi Narayana, president of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, said the workaround is already collapsing. “The parcel option which was available in the morning, later was removed. What happened in the morning was a technical isse and we spoke to the companies about it. Now, I see that there is no such issue,” he said.
However, he echoed that there are 3 lakh bike-taxis riders in Bengaluru, whose livelihood depends on this. “The government should frame rules and we will follow that, but the government hasn’t issued any directive till now about any concerns that were being raised,” he said. “The regulation has been imposed on the grounds that for bike taxis, there is no distinction between commercial-use and personal-use vehicles. If that’s the case, then the government should also crack down on delivery agents, instead of selectively targeting bike-taxi riders,” he added.