KOCHI: With autorickshaw drivers protesting the introduction of bike taxi services in Kochi, the state transport authority has launched a drive against private registration bikes operating as taxis in Kochi.
The Ernakulam Autorickshaw Drivers Association (CITU) had organised a march in the city on Monday after several bike riders were found picking passengers from the Ernakulam South railway station on Sunday night.
Ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Rapido had recently launched bike taxi services in Kochi, which has allegedly affected the livelihoods of autorickshaw drivers. According to the autorickshaw drivers, many private two-wheelers are operating as taxis without following guidelines.
“The use of privately owned bikes as taxi is not permissible under law. Many bike taxis that pick passengers from the railway station don’t have proper insurance coverage, fitness, and pollution certificates. The passengers will not get the benefits of insurance coverage if these bikes meet with accidents,” Autorickshaw Drivers Association (CITU) district secretary V A Sakeer Hussain said.
He said the association has lodged a complaint with the city police commissioner regarding such illegal operations.
“The authorities have promised strict action against such operations,” Sakeer said.
As per rule, online taxi aggregators should obtain a licence from the state transport authority to operate taxi services, said Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC) G S Sajiprasad. “These bikes should be registered as taxis and should have yellow numberplates. Private registration bikes cannot be operated as taxis,” the officer said.
Besides obtaining taxi permits, the rider has to submit the driving licence, identity card, and other details to the police, Sakeer pointed out.
“We had stopped a few bike taxi riders on Sunday and it was found that many bikes were registered in other states. We cannot permit such illegal activities as it is affecting the livelihoods of autorickshaw drivers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the district transport authority has forwarded to the cyber police some complaints regarding illegal online taxi aggregators operating in Kochi using private registration cars.
These operators have not obtained the aggregator licence and are operating using some applications.
“A non-transport vehicle cannot operate a taxi service. We have decided to hold discussions with experts on ways to curb such illegal operations. A special drive will be launched after the elections,” DTC Sajiprasad said.