HC directs K'taka govt to protect bike taxi services

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Karnataka High Court's recent ruling to monitor unlawful acts against Bike Taxi Aggregators in Bengaluru is indeed significant, offering relief to operators of bike taxi hailing apps such as Rapido.

The court's decision stems from the challenges faced by bike taxi riders, including harassment and vehicle damage by certain auto unions and members.

In response to a Writ Petition filed by the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, the court directed the Karnataka Government to take appropriate action against anyone unlawfully obstructing the operation of bike taxi services.

The use of white board vehicles for commercial purposes has been a point of contention, with some arguing that it violates the law. This issue has led to opposition from auto unions.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the safety of bike taxis and the transition to electric vehicles.

While the previous state government introduced the Electric Bike Taxi Scheme in July 2021 to improve last-mile connectivity and employment, the scheme has been withdrawn this year following protests by auto-rickshaw unions in Bengaluru.