- विज्ञापन -
Bengaluru: Karnataka authorities, including the Transport and Police departments, initiated a crackdown on bike taxi services across Bengaluru and other district headquarters on Monday, following an order from the High Court.
In response, the Namma Bike Taxi Association wrote to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, requesting their urgent help to revoke the ban. The association highlighted the potential livelihood crisis for over one lakh bike taxi riders across the state.
Many app-based aggregators have already limited their services to parcel deliveries, ceasing regular bike taxi operations in Karnataka. The crackdown was triggered by a Karnataka High Court decision last Friday, which refused to stay a ruling from a single-judge bench that ordered the cessation of bike taxi services. The division bench, led by Acting Chief Justice V. Kameshwara Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, extended the deadline for halting services to June 15 and scheduled further hearings for June 24.
The earlier order, issued on April 2 by Justice B. Shyam Prasad, stated that bike taxi aggregators cannot operate in Karnataka without guidelines being notified under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and proper rules being established. This came in response to petitions from various companies seeking more time to wind down their services.
In its letter, the Namma Bike Taxi Association expressed concern that the ban threatens the livelihoods of over a lakh riders, many of whom are students, daily wage earners, or the sole earners for their families.
They appealed, saying, “We ride in all weather conditions for 10-12 hours a day to support our families. This income is not just extra — it is the only source of income for many of us.” They urged the government not to impose an overnight ban without dialogue, and to consider a way forward that ensures passenger safety, regulatory compliance, and livelihood sustainability.
The association also criticized the transport department for abruptly cutting off rider income instead of framing proper regulations for licensing, training, and insurance. They pointed out that the state had previously withdrawn the electric bike taxi scheme, highlighting inconsistent policy decisions.
Emphasizing the socio-economic impact, the letter noted, “Karnataka has made commendable efforts to support gig workers through social security, welfare boards, and insurance. But this decision is pushing us into a crisis.” The ban not only affects riders but also the large number of commuters who depend on bike taxis for affordable and quick transportation, especially in areas with limited bus services.
The association urged the government to engage in constructive dialogue rather than enforce bans outright and to develop a balanced approach that safeguards both regulation and the livelihoods of riders.
