Indian jugaad—a term signifying smart, unconventional fixes—once again shines as a symbol of inventive Indian spirit. After the ban on bike taxis in Karnataka, Bengaluru commuters and service providers seem to have pivoted ingeniously.
Take Rapido, for instance. When the Karnataka High Court ruled app-based bike taxi services illegal, Rapido quickly adapted. Instead of offering rides, they rebranded the service as “bike parcel,” allowing passengers to book themselves as packages for intra-city transport. This subtle twist—technically positioning humans as “parcels”—has caught the public eye and sparked laughter and admiration alike.
The shift follows the state’s decision not to regulate or legalize two-wheeler taxis under the Motor Vehicles Act, despite the court’s indication that such rules might have allowed a temporary stay on the ban. The next hearing is slated for June 24.
Meanwhile, social media lit up. One user dubbed the new model “PaaS – Passenger as a Service,” cheekily pointing out Rapido’s innovation. Another highlighted how other companies like Uber followed suit by tweaking their labels—‘Moto’ now reads ‘Moto Courier.’
Citizens were quick to criticize the ban, arguing that Bengaluru’s traffic congestion calls for more, not fewer, public transport options. With comparisons drawn to Southeast Asian models like Jakarta’s ojek services, many questioned the rationale behind the clampdown.
In the chaos of Bengaluru’s roads, jugaad finds a way—creative, legal-ish, and always on time.
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