Karnataka withdraws electric bike taxi services

The Karnataka Government has banned operation of electric bike taxi services in the state after they were found to be “unsafe for women”. Also being carried out in violation of Motor Vehicles Act, the government has issued an order notifying that the 2021 Karnataka Electric Bike Taxi Scheme has now been withdrawn. The scheme also made it difficult for the transport department to collect taxes.

The order notified that the 2021 Karnataka Electric Bike Taxi Scheme has been withdrawn. “It has come to our notice that certain private app-based firms are violating the Motor Vehicles Act and its rules and running illegal non-transport two-wheelers as the transport vehicles," it said.

It also said there were often clashes between the owners and drivers of auto rickshaws and "maxi cabs" with the bike riders and cases were also registered in Karnataka.

As per the order, the government has cancelled the scheme to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of women travelling on two-wheeler bike taxis. 

The move comes after the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association, which represents several auto rickshaw, cab and bus operators, met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to explain how e-bike taxis were hurting the livelihood of lakhs of auto drivers.

President of the Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association, Tanveer Pasha, welcomed the decision and said the then BJP government had in 2021 given permission to electric bike taxis in Bengaluru.