Karnataka HC Allows Bike Taxis To Operate Till June 15

In a major reprieve for bike taxi aggregators, the Karnataka High Court (HC) has allowed two-wheeler ride-hailing platforms to continue their operations in the state till June 15. 

As per news agency PTI, a single-judge bench of Justice BM Shyamaprasad issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by Uber, Ola and Rapido seeking extension of the deadline for bike taxi aggregators to cease operations in the state.

This follows the HC’s April 2 order, which set a six-week period for these platforms to wind down services in the state due to the absence of a regulatory framework under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 .

The latest directions are expected to offer a much needed reprieve to the players, especially when Karnataka’s transport minister Ramalinga Reddy has reportedly directed officials to clamp down on bike taxi operations in the state.

As per the report, aggregators petitioned the HC for more time, citing ongoing discussions with the state government regarding the formulation of a comprehensive bike taxi policy. They highlighted the potential benefits of such a policy, including improved last-mile connectivity and reduced traffic congestion. 

During the hearing, Rapido emphasised that the court’s earlier decision could impact the livelihoods of approximately 6 Lakh bike taxi drivers associated with the platform.

The Karnataka government is currently said to be considering developing guidelines to regulate bike taxi operations in the state. Until such regulations are established, the court has maintained that bike taxi services cannot legally operate in Karnataka.

Karnataka Rickshaw Unions Vs Bike Taxis

Notably, the ongoing legal and regulatory issues around bike taxis in Karnataka have been building up for over a year. In March 2024, following rising protests from autorickshaw unions and concerns over safety and regulatory misuse, the state government scrapped the Electric Bike Taxi Scheme, 2021. 

The scheme allowed individuals and companies to register two-wheelers as taxis, including electric ones, but the authorities claimed it was being misused by operators who weren’t following the rules. 

This triggered legal action, and, in April 2024, the Karnataka HC directed all bike taxi operators to cease services unless a proper policy was introduced. At the time, the HC also asked the government to ensure that bike taxi riders were not harassed by individuals or groups attempting to block their operations unlawfully.

Tensions escalated in July 2024, when autorickshaw and cab drivers gathered at the state transport department’s head office in Bengaluru to protest against bike taxis. Their demands included action against what they called “illegal” services and the introduction of a uniform cab fare policy. 

In response, the transport department instructed all regional transport offices in the city to form special investigation teams to crack down on unauthorised bike taxi operations, including electric bikes. 

Protestors also called for regulation of platforms like Porter and stricter oversight on advertising on commercial vehicles. Around the same time, taxi unions pushed for a unified fare system that would apply to all aggregators, including Ola and Uber, grouping vehicles into classes based on their cost.

While some states like Goa, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar have recognised bike taxis as legitimate public transport options, there continues to be regulatory uncertainty over the mode of transport in Karnataka. 

The lack of a formal policy has resulted in repeated confrontations between bike taxi riders and autorickshaw drivers. Over the last few years, several such incidents have been reported, with bike riders being assaulted or their vehicles seized.