Cab drivers to file case against bike taxis

Nischith N. | NT

Taxi and auto drivers in Bengaluru have been objecting to the startups operating bike taxis, as they operate illegally without a licence. The cab drivers in Bengaluru are now upset with the state transport department’s recent move to endorse bike taxi aggregators, and they are now planning to go to court.

Ola, Taxiforsure and Uber Drivers and Owners Association President Tanveer Pasha told News Trail, “This move by our transport department is not is not acceptable because they are supporting whose operation was shut down owing to lack of legal provisions. Government knows that our taxi drivers opposed the introduction as it was illegal and we are in bad condition due to the recent pandemic.”

Bike taxis have become a popular medium in congested cities as they offer services at a much cheaper rates than a conventional cab or app-cabs. But taxi operators have accused the transport department of not being proactive in penalising them.

They argue that bike taxis sport whiteboard number plates, used for personal vehicles, and hence cannot run as taxis.

Due to their more competitive fares, bike-taxi operators like Rapido are offering significant competition to the autorickshaw and city cabs, who claim they are still reeling under the massive losses in their earnings suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Several mobile app based aggregators, like Ola and Rapido, are illegally operating the bike taxi business. Bike owners and the transport department should be held responsible for using and allowing private bikes for commercial purposes. We will draft and file a case in the courts and they have to pay for it because this RTO department is only busy in seizing the vehicle, but we want that services itself should stop. This illegal operation is directly affecting our drivers’ revenue” Pasha added.

It is reported that 25,000 plus bike taxis are operating across Bengaluru every day. Its rapid growth and soaring demand has also attracted major cab aggregators like Ola and Uber.

On the other hand, commuters want bike taxis to be made legal so it can provide an economical list-mile connectivity. “Bike taxis will continue to face opposition from BMTC, autorickshaw unions and cab drivers because their revenue will be hit if the government legalises such entities. But from a commuters point of view, that is the best way for the last mile connectivity and also a safe”.

It is claimed that over 3 lakh drivers and over 40 lakh customers in Bengaluru and 1 lakh people are using it daily. “There are a lot of things to be considered whether bike taxis should be legalized. The proposal is still with the higher officials and a final decision has not yet been taken,” said a senior RTO official.