SUMMARY
Karnataka Govt Calls Bike Taxi Services As Illegal
A couple of days earlier (Thursday), Uber and Ola had rolled out their Bike Taxi services, uberMoto and Ola Bike, in Bangalore. However, the services are now being called ‘illegal’ by the Karnataka State Transport Department, reported ET.
Besides, the department has also asked citizens not to use the services. “If these vehicles are involved in any accident, the users will not be eligible for insurance,” said Transport Commissioner, Ramegowda.
The department said that both companies had not obtained permit or license to offer the service in the state and hence a legal action will be taken against the two.
According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, enforced in Karnataka, a two-wheeler is considered to be private transport. To run a service like Ola Bike Taxi or uberMoto, the vehicle needs to be licensed for commercial use.
Reportedly, the transport department officials have already seized a few of such operating vehicles. According to a senior official quoted in the report, the bikes are being run as non-transport vehicles. There are no badges and yellow boards on these bikes which are required for commercial vehicles. “We will not allow them to operate,” the official was quoted as saying in the report.
PTI, a news agency, said that there were about 500 people who had signed up on Ola’s platform for the service.
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