Karnataka high court bars Rapido, Ola, Uber from operating bike taxis, gives six weeks to comply | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court has ordered Rapido, Ola, and Uber to stop their bike taxi services in the state within six weeks stating that they cannot operate without proper guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules.
Disposing of their petitions filed in 2022-23 seeking aggregator permits, the court ruled that until the state government notifies the necessary regulations, the companies have no legal standing to run bike taxis. It also clarified that no directions can be issued to consider their applications in the absence of such rules.
The court further directed the state government to ensure the companies comply with the order and cease their bike taxi services within the stipulated timeframe.
Last month, the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations urged the state government to issue an ordinance banning bike-taxi operations, arguing that unauthorized services were adversely affecting auto drivers.
The federation also pushed for a ‘One City, One Fare’ system for taxis and stricter regulation of aggregators.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Karnataka Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union, affiliated with CITU, announced a protest at Freedom Park on March 6, demanding a fare hike of Rs 5 per km and a Rs 500 crore allocation for driver welfare schemes.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Karnataka High Court has directed Rapido, Ola, and Uber to cease their bike taxi services within six weeks.
- The court dismissed the petitions filed by the companies seeking direction for the issuance of aggregator permits from the state government.
- The state government is required to notify relevant guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules before the companies can resume operations.
