Crackdown on unauthorised bike taxis from today

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Karnataka Transport department on Thursday issued an order directing regional transport offices (RTOs) to form special investigation teams to crack down on unauthorised bike taxis, including electric bike taxis.

An RTO official said that the order extends even to Rapido that does not have a licence to operate whiteboard two-wheeler taxis, but is protected against any government action as per Karnataka High Court’s directions.

"Unauthorised bike taxis if found operating will be seized as per law by RTO officials starting from July 5 and accordingly, legal action will be initiated against the operator," said RTO officials.

The state government had withdrawn the notification on the E-bike Taxi Scheme 2021 vide a government order dated March 6. The order cited that the implementation of the ebike taxi scheme was not "complementary" to the mobility structure, as stated in the report of the committee constituted under the chairmanship of Managing Director of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

According to the orders, beginning from July 5, Special Investigation Teams (SIT) will be formed in the 10 Regional Transport Offices of Bengaluru to take legal action against unauthorized bike taxis including electric bike taxis.

Since the operation of bike taxis began, the city has witnessed clashes and fights between their operators and auto and cab drivers and members of private transport associations, leading to complaints and cases being filed.

On Thursday, thousands of autorickshaw and cab drivers staged a protest against the continued operations of illegal bike taxis, at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Bengaluru.

The crackdown against unauthorised bike taxis came after the Federation of Private Transport Operators Association representing several auto-rickshaw, cab and bus operators and headed by Nataraj Sharma, met the transport commissioner seeking a ban on illegal bike taxis, implementation of one city-one fare, issuance of permits to school cabs among other demands.

Additional Commissioner for Transport (Enforcement-South), C Mallikarjuna, issued a notification dated July 4, instructing all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to conduct daily inspections and report the action taken on bike taxis.

Meanwhile the Bike Taxi Welfare Association cited the Karnataka High Court orders issued in April that directed the state government to take action against any person who tries to attack, intimidate or harass Uber/Rapido/any bike taxis drivers. The Association has also warned of contempt proceedings against anyone who attempts to 'threaten Uber/ Rapido bike taxi drivers.'