Bengaluru, Karnataka: The Transport Department is considering legal action against ride-hailing platforms operating bike taxis, after the Karnataka High Court clarified on Friday that it had not permitted such services. The court, however, directed authorities not to harass individual drivers or owners.
Court clarification and department’s stance
The High Court stated that the state government is free to take action against aggregator platforms if they have already restarted operations, but stressed that enforcement should not target individual drivers.
Transport Department Secretary N. V. Prasad reiterated that bike taxi operations remain unauthorised in Karnataka and said, “We expect the firms to abide by the court’s orders.”
A senior department source confirmed that data is being collected to build a legal case against the platforms, terming their continued operations as a “clear contempt of court.”
Current operations and driver response
Despite the legal ambiguity, bike taxi services continue to run on major platforms like Uber, Ola and Rapido. Uber has launched promotional offers for its Moto service, while Rapido briefly ran discounts on August 21.
Drivers reported a surge in bookings, with some averaging up to 15 rides in just two days since services resumed. Many consumers continue to prefer the low-cost option amid Bengaluru’s traffic congestion and high fuel prices.
Impact on drivers and industry concerns
Adi Narayan, president of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, voiced concerns over the uncertainty. “While the court has directed the state not to act against drivers, potential legal action against platforms threatens the entire ecosystem,” he said.
He also urged aggregators to offer free access to their technology platforms to help drivers maintain livelihoods while the legal situation is clarified.
Background and future course
Bike taxi services were suspended from June 16 to August 20, but their quick revival indicates strong demand. With the Transport Department poised to act, aggregator platforms may face fines or licence cancellations unless they comply with existing rules or secure legal approval.
Conclusion
The issue highlights the regulatory challenges of integrating emerging transport solutions into existing frameworks. The state’s legal action will determine whether bike taxis can remain a viable mode of transport in Bengaluru.