Bengaluru commuters, frustrated by the state’s ban on app-based bike taxis, have found an unconventional workaround, booking themselves as parcels.
Ride aggregator Rapido, quick to adapt after Karnataka’s High Court suspended two-wheeler taxi services last week, has rebranded its offering as a “bike parcel” courier service, allowing passengers to hitch rides under the guise of intra-city deliveries, NDTV reported.
The move follows a high court ruling on June 13 upholding the ban on bike taxis operated by Rapido, Uber and Ola, citing illegality under the Motor Vehicles Act.
As per NDTV, the court declined to lift the suspension unless the state government introduced specific regulations, something officials later refused to do dashing hopes of a swift resolution. The next hearing is set for June 24.
Social media erupted with amused reactions as Bengaluru’s traffic-weary residents shared screenshots of Rapido’s repurposed service. “Since, Karnataka govt. banned bike taxis, Uber & Rapido have renamed their bike services to Bike Parcel & Moto Courier. So, now you can book a ride, identify as a parcel & get yourself delivered to your destination. Classic eg. of Desi Jugaad,” wrote an X user.
Another user, Dhanvi, dubbing it ‘PaaS - Passenger as a Service’. “Can’t book a ride? No worries—just parcel yourself to work,” she quipped.
Critics slammed the ban as tone-deaf for a city notorious for gridlock. Many argued bike taxis were a vital, affordable transport option in Bengaluru’s choked streets. Rapido’s jugaad - a Hindi term for frugal innovation - has, for now, kept wheels moving. But whether the ‘parcel’ loophole lasts remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, a video purportedly showing a Rapido driver assaulting a woman passenger in Bengaluru has gone viral on social media. The incident reportedly occurred on last Friday (June 13) after the woman, said to work at a jewellery store, confronted the rider over rash driving mid-journey. The driver has been taken into custody.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
