BENGALURU: Autorickshaw and cab drivers’ associations may approach the Supreme Court against the high court order permitting bike taxis and registering them as transport vehicles.
Tanveer Pasha, president of a cab drivers’ association, said, “We held a meeting on the high court order. We are planning to consult advocates on challenging the high court order in the Supreme Court. It is illegal to run bike taxis with white boards, and also run bikes registered in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and other states here. We will also meet Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and officials from the department to know if they file an appeal before the SC against the high court order.”
Rudra Murthy of the autorickshaw drivers’ union said, “Taxi aggregators are encouraging unemployed youngsters to operate bike taxis with white boards. It is a clear violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. We urge the government to continue the legal fight in this regard. After receiving a copy of the high court order, we will organise a meeting and decide whether to approach the Supreme Court.”
Ramalinga Reddy said, “The state government is examining the HC order. We will take a decision soon.”
Meanwhile, welcoming the HC order, a spokesperson from Ola said, “It is a clear signal in the right direction for urban mobility in Karnataka. Bike taxis play a critical role in improving last-mile connectivity and affordability. This decision will help reduce congestion and create flexible earning opportunities. We look forward to working towards realising the full potential of bike taxis as a core part of Karnataka’s mobility ecosystem.”
A spokesperson from Uber said, “We welcome the HC decision recognising bike taxi as a legal mode of passenger transport in Karnataka. Bike taxis offer people an affordable and convenient way to navigate traffic.
The decision will also bring relief to lakhs of riders who depend on it for their livelihood. We look forward to engaging with the state government on operationalising this mobility ecosystem.”