In a major setback for app-based bike taxi operators, the Karnataka High Court has ordered companies like Rapido, Ola, and Uber to suspend their bike taxi services across the state within six weeks. The court ruled that these services cannot operate until the state government establishes proper regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Currently, Karnataka lacks a clear regulatory framework for bike taxis. The court has granted the state government three months to formulate necessary guidelines, during which all bike taxi services must remain suspended.
Justice B M Shyam Prasad stated that bike taxi aggregators must cease operations within the given timeframe and that the transport department cannot be compelled to register motorcycles as transport vehicles or issue contract carriage permits until proper government regulations are implemented.
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Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy supported the court’s decision, citing growing safety concerns and the lack of oversight in app-based bike taxi operations. Additionally, these services have faced opposition from Bengaluru’s auto-rickshaw drivers, leading to multiple confrontations over the past year.
Meanwhile, states like Delhi and Maharashtra have introduced regulated frameworks for electric bike taxis. Karnataka is expected to follow suit once new rules are finalized.
Rapido, which has been operating in Bengaluru since 2016, will now have to halt its services temporarily until further notice.
