BENGALURU: The wait for bike taxis in the city could get longer. In the face of stiff resistance by the autorickshaw unions, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) seems to be in no mood to issue permits to bike taxis in the city.
Reportedly, the RTA, headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district, has already postponed the meeting to give permits to bike taxis at least three times so far. “We are waiting for RTA to issue permits to bike taxis,” a senior Transport Department official said. “Four companies, including Ola and Uber, have already approached us for licence to operate bike taxis in the city. But we cannot allow them to operate them without RTA permit,” he said.
V Shanker, Deputy Commissioner for Bengaluru Urban district, said: “The recommendation of the transport department to issue permits to bike taxis will be decided at the RTA meeting which will be convened in 15 days.”
According to the Transport Department’s proposal, the minimum charge for bike taxis for the first 2km is `10 with an additional `5 for each additional kilometre. This incidentally works out cheaper than autos which start with a minimum charge of `25 for the first 1.9 kilometres and `13 for every additional kilometre.
Sources told Express that auto unions, already facing the heat due to app-based taxi operators, are opposing the RTA’s move to issue permits to bike taxis. Rudra Murthy, general secretary of Auto Drivers Union, said: “We are opposing the plan to launch bike taxis here. Our livelihood will be affected if the RTA gives permits to bike taxis”.
In March, Ola and Uber had launched bike taxis in the city, but services stopped after the RTO started impounding bikes for operating without permits.
Many commuters say bike taxis are need of the hour. “It is unfortunate that RTA has not issued permit to bike taxis. Bike taxis are ideal for a congested city like Bengaluru as it is cheaper and faster,” said K Vignesh, a commuter on Hosur Road.
Bike taxis are also expected to provide employment to several people in the city. Transport Department officials said bike taxis will have to bear yellow registration boards, carry a spare helmet for the pillion rider, meter and also GPS.