Transport Department to crack down on illegal bike taxis in Bengaluru

The Karnataka Transport Department has planned a strict crackdown on illegal bike taxi services in Bengaluru from Wednesday (August 5).

The decision comes after Transport Department officials held a meeting with the Karnataka App Based Workers Union (KAWU) on Tuesday (August 4), following the union’s threat to launch a strike if action was not taken against illegal bike taxi operations.

A senior Transport Department official confirmed that Tuesday’s meeting was convened to discuss a crackdown on illegal bike taxi services and to create awareness about the illegality of such operations in the city.

“We will seize such bike taxis. The rider’s driving licence (DL) will also be suspended, and the vehicle’s registration certificate (RC) will be suspended if illegal bike taxi operations are detected,” the official told The Hindu.

Officials added that they would actively seize and impound illegal bike taxis, including those operated through app-based aggregators and other unpermitted private vehicles.

According to a press release issued by KAWU, senior Transport Department and Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials met with the union following its protest call and promised immediate legal action against illegal bike taxi operations across the city.

KAWU further stated that the RTO has decided to enforce the “One City, One Fare” policy by issuing strict notices to cab aggregators to ensure uniform fare structures across Bengaluru.

In addition, the union said it had recommended blocking or removing non-compliant aggregator applications from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store if they fail to comply with the regulations.