Karnataka bike taxi ban nears June 15 deadline; transport dept to implement HC order

Bike Taxi

The Karnataka transport department has said it will implement the state high court’s order that called for bike taxi services operators to cease operations by June 15 .

Transport commissioner AM Yogeesh told Moneycontrol: “The ban on bike taxis comes into effect on June 15. We will act based on the high court order. We will convene a meeting with our officials and discuss enforcement plans on that day.” He added, “We will go by what the court says. If the court extends the deadline, we’ll abide by that. If the ban is to be implemented, we will enforce it.”

Also read: B'luru carpooling firms to cash in amid bike taxi ban, Metro & bus fare hikes

The Karnataka High Court had on April 2 directed bike taxi aggregators to halt operations within six weeks (by May 14), a deadline later extended to June 15 following representations from operators such as Rapido, Uber and Ola. Bengaluru is one of the largest bike taxi markets in the country.

Earlier, on April 25, transport minister R Ramalinga Reddy had written to transport secretary NV Prasad and transport commissioner Yogeesh, directing them to take steps to enforce the ban as per the court order.

Also read: Ola dangles Rs 70K monthly earnings for riders in push to expand e-bike taxi service

Aggregators like Rapido said they had held discussions with the state government, including a high-level meeting chaired by chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh on April 23. Roppen Transportation Services Pvt. Ltd., which operates Rapido, told the court that it had submitted a representation requesting a policy similar to those adopted by other states. Rapido warned that a sudden ban without regulatory clarity would impact the livelihoods of over 6 lakh people across Karnataka who rely on bike taxi services.

Also read: Bike taxi ban & bus-metro fare hikes: A double whammy for Bengaluru's citizens

While auto rickshaw and taxi unions have welcomed the move, bike taxi users and riders are opposing it. Many commuters say they will be left with few affordable options, accusing auto drivers of demanding excessive fares or refusing rides. Some are now exploring car-pooling options.

Also read: Why Karnataka's electric bike taxi policy failed to take off

On their part, many bike taxi riders say their livelihoods are at stake. More than 100 riders, including members of the Namma Bike Taxi Association and those working with aggregators like Rapido, Uber and Ola, recently met the transport minister Reddy to urge a reconsideration of the ban. In fact, Karnataka was the first state to launch an Electric Bike Taxi Policy in 2021. However, under pressure from auto rickshaw drivers' unions, the government withdrew the policy in March 2024. The Centre had in 2016 recommended promoting bike-sharing and e-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity and advised states to develop tech-based mobility frameworks.

Also read: Karnataka govt holding regular consultations on bike taxi policy, says Rapido's Pavan Guntupalli

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), which among other things represents major platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Ola, Uber and Rapido, has urged the government to consider issuing temporary permits to aggregators that comply with safety standards, allowing them to operate until a formal policy is in place.

Also read: IAMAI urges Karnataka government to consult industry on bike taxi policy

In the April 2 ruling, Karnataka High Court Justice BM Shyam Prasad also directed the state to frame a legal framework for bike taxis within three months. The court observed: “The state government must remain responsive to emerging trends and evolving local conditions. It cannot shut itself off from the possibilities presented by new technologies.” The court further said: “If the circumstances justify a new approach, the state government should not lag behind… This court, in this context, must muse—as it is famously said—that an institution which refuses change becomes the architect of decay.” However, transport department has not been keen on framing a policy to legalise bike taxi operations

Also read: Karnataka govt in a fix over framing rules for bike taxis