Following the Karnataka High Court’s statement that no order was issued to restart bike taxis, Uber and Ola have suspended services, sparking fresh chaos for commuters and drivers.
Bengaluru’s much-debated bike taxi services were dealt another blow on Monday as Uber and Ola removed the option from their apps. The move followed a clarification from the Karnataka High Court, which said it had never granted permission for the resumption of operations, reiterating that the state government holds full authority to regulate or act against such services under current laws.
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While Uber and Ola quickly pulled back, Rapido continues to operate under the name “Bike Direct”, though its legal validity remains clouded. The abrupt suspension has left thousands of Bengalureans stranded without a key mode of affordable and speedy transport. For students, office-goers, and daily wage workers, bike taxis had emerged as an essential solution to Bengaluru’s notorious traffic and poor last-mile connectivity.
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The uncertainty began earlier this year when the High Court declared bike taxis illegal in the absence of a regulatory framework under the Motor Vehicles Act. In June, the court refused to stay its order, forcing companies to halt operations. However, after strong commuter demand, Ola, Uber, and Rapido restarted services in August, only to face another setback with the latest clarification.
Caught in this policy whiplash are the bike taxi riders, many of whom depend entirely on this work for their income. The Bike Taxi Welfare Association of Karnataka, representing nearly 12,000 riders in Bengaluru and over six lakh across the state, has warned of a “livelihood crisis.” The association recently met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi to draw attention to their plight, stressing that most drivers are young workers who cannot afford prolonged suspensions.
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As the debate continues, commuters are bracing for longer travel times and higher costs, while drivers remain in limbo, waiting for a clear policy framework that could decide the future of bike taxis in Karnataka.
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