Karnataka begins crackdown on bike taxis: 103 vehicles seized on day one

Bike taxi

The Karnataka transport department launched a statewide crackdown on bike taxis on June 16 after the ban came into effect, with official data accessed by Moneycontrol showing that over 103 vehicles were seized in Bengaluru alone on the first day of enforcement.

The highest number of bike taxi seizures were reported from RTO Bengaluru (West) with 16 vehicles, followed by RTO Electronics City with 15 vehicles, RTO KR Puram with 13 vehicles, RTO Bengaluru (East) with 12 vehicles, RTO Bengaluru (North) and RTO Bengaluru (South) with 10 vehicles each, RTO Bengaluru (Central) with 8 vehicles, RTO Jnanabharathi, RTO Chandapura, and ARTO Devanahalli with five vehicles each, and RTO Yelahanka with four vehicles.

State government’s transport officials said the drive will continue in the coming days across the city.

Also Read: Karnataka bike taxi ban: Users ride as ‘parcels’, drivers switch to deliveries, last-mile fares spike on day one

The state government had ordered all aggregators to stop bike taxi operations after the Karnataka High Court refused to extend the deadline. On April 2, HC had directed the state to set up a legal framework for such services within three months, while ordering that operations must stop within six weeks, which was later extended to June 15.

Rapido has removed its bike taxi option in Karnataka from the app and replaced it with a 'bike parcel' service. The app now displays a message stating: “Starting June 16, 2025, our bike taxi services in Karnataka will be paused in compliance with recent High Court orders.” Uber has withdrawn its ‘Moto’ bike taxi service, and replaced it with a ‘Moto Parcel’ icon. Ola has removed the bike booking options on its app.

Also Read: Karnataka bike taxi ban kicks in; Rapido says it’s pausing operations

Transport officials said they have instructed all aggregators to cease bike taxi operations in the state. “We will continue the enforcement drive and initiate action under the Motor Vehicles Act against violators. Aggregators must comply with the court order,” a senior official from transport department said.