Karnataka cracks down on illegal taxis

The transport department and Bangalore traffic police have begun to crack down on illegal taxis plying in Karnataka.

The officials did not disclose how many vehicles have been seized so far. They said that all unregistered cab aggregators are being treated as illegal.

At present, there are only eight taxi operators registered with the State transport department under the ‘City Taxi Service Scheme’ which came into force in 1998. They have begun to collect details of the drivers to fulfil the norms of the scheme.

“As per the scheme, the taxi operators and drivers have to adhere to a set of 25 permit conditions,” Karnataka Transport Commissioner Rame Gowda said.

“This is being strictly enforced as there has been a sudden spurt in illegal taxis plying with app-based GPS software. They were operating anywhere and everywhere with no responsibility to anybody,” he added.

At present, around 4,000 taxis are plying on Bangalore city roads and 78,000 vehicles plying as luxury or tourist cabs with State permit.

As part of enforcement, the transport department and Bangalore traffic police are to work out a mechanism to park seized vehicles, Gowda said.

A few conditions laid out by the ‘City Taxi Service Scheme 1998’ are that taxi operators should display the permit issued in original at a prominent place in the vehicle. Motor cab (City Taxi) services shall be available throughout day and night (24 hours service).

Each cab shall be connected with Radio Telephone/GPRS/GPS/with company / companies operational control room. The control room will have the facility to monitor the movement of motor cabs (City Taxi).

The cabs should operate within 25-km radius from the limits of city corporation. Be located at a stand in airport, railway station, bus stands, and follow rules of local authorities.

A signboard in yellow colour visible from both front and back of the vehicle, with words ‘City Taxi’ are displayed on the vehicle. It is mandatory for drivers to wear uniform, which is navy blue pant, sky blue shirt, and navy blue cap with yellow stripe, black belt, black shoes and blue socks.

The scheme stipulates that the driver must have a driving licence and badge authorising him to drive motor cab (taxi) and must have minimum of two years experience in driving a light motor vehicle.