Karnataka HC Directs Govt To Protect Bike Taxi Services
The significance of protecting the rights of bike taxi operators and creating a conducive environment for their services has been reaffirmed by this decision
The Karnataka High Court has directed the State Government to safeguard the functioning of bike taxis in Bengaluru. This directive was issued on 28 March following petitions submitted by the Bike Taxi Welfare Association.
The court ordered the government to "take necessary measures against any individual if they illegally hinder the petitioners from running bike taxi services."
The auto unions called for a prohibition on bike taxis because of the disputes between auto drivers and bike taxi operators, resulting in the submission of the petition.
The Association expressed their appreciation for the HC order, stating that it was a major win in their battle against harassment, physical violence, vehicle damage and obstruction faced by bike taxi riders from specific auto unions and their members in Bangalore.
The significance of protecting the rights of bike taxi operators and creating a conducive environment for their services has been reaffirmed by this decision. The Bike Taxi Association expresses appreciation to the judiciary for its involvement and reiterates its dedication to promoting the well-being of its members, the Association stated.
Rapido has clarified that the recent withdrawal of the state government's electric bike taxi scheme will not affect their bike taxi operations.
The scheme, introduced in 2021 and withdrawn in 2024, solely focused on granting licenses for operating electric bike taxis. An interim order protects Rapido's operations from the High Court, which prohibits the state government from taking coercive actions against the aggregator.
Rapido stated in its announcement that the recent notification released by the government does not mention the prohibition of Rapido or any other aggregator functioning under the safeguard of the High Court order.
