Bengaluru’s streets have once again seen the return of bike taxis as ride-hailing platforms Uber and Rapido quietly resumed operations this week, nearly two months after their services were suspended. The Karnataka government had imposed a blanket ban on bike taxi operations on June 16, triggering large-scale enforcement by Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) through vehicle seizures and heavy penalties.
Also read: Centre issues guidelines for bike taxi services: Karnataka ban maybe reconsidered
The aggregators had moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the prohibition, arguing that the sector provides critical income to lakhs of drivers and affordable transport to commuters. On Wednesday, a division bench of the High Court adjourned the hearing of writ appeals to September 22, directing the state government to present a clear stance on the policy framework. The court observed that similar services function legally in several other states, while in Karnataka the matter remains unresolved.
Bike-taxi numbers
Before the ban, nearly 1.2 lakh private motorcycles were linked to ride-hailing platforms in Bengaluru alone. Statewide, around six lakh individuals depend on bike taxis either for earnings or as a mobility option, underscoring the widespread impact of regulatory uncertainty.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy maintained that the court has not explicitly permitted operations to resume. He stated that the government would seek the Advocate General’s opinion before taking a final call on policy guidelines. Meanwhile, commuters reported sightings of bike taxis back on the roads, though the companies have not issued official statements confirming the revival of services.