The Delhi Transport Department recently issued an order banning bike taxis operated by app-based companies such as Uber, Ola and Rapido in the national capital. The order stated that using private two-wheelers for hire violates the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, which prohibits two-wheelers from being used for commercial purposes.
The companies violating the order will face a penalty of INR 1 lakh. This ban will not impact other states in India where bike taxis are allowed, including Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Telangana, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
Bike taxis have emerged as a popular intra-city transport option in India, especially in congested cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. However, they have faced resistance from certain vested interests. Despite this, the co-founder of Rapido, Aravind Sanka, believes that India needs a vibrant bike taxi industry to provide affordable and reliable transport services to millions of commuters.
