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Bike taxi services are back on Bengaluru’s streets. After being banned for two months, these services have returned on Uber, Ola, and Rapido without official government permission, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight in India’s transportation sector.
Unauthorized Resumption
Commuters across Bengaluru discovered this week that bike taxi booking options had returned to Uber, Ola, and Rapido applications, despite the absence of formal government authorization. The services had been suspended since June 16, following a Karnataka High Court directive that operations must halt unless proper regulations were established under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Court Observations and Clarifications
The resumption followed Karnataka High Court observations during recent hearings where a division bench, led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi, questioned the state government’s blanket prohibition approach. The court emphasized that bike taxi operations constitute legitimate trade under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution and suggested regulation rather than outright prohibition.
However, the court has since clarified its position. Following reports of service resumption, the High Court explicitly stated that it had issued no orders permitting ride hailing companies to restart bike taxi operations. This clarification underscores that the platforms appear to have interpreted the court’s constitutional observations as tacit permission to resume services.
Government Response
Karnataka’s Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has indicated that the unauthorized resumption will be brought to the court’s attention. The state government maintains its position that no formal permission has been granted for these services to operate.
Broader Context
The bike taxi ban has significantly impacted Bengaluru’s transportation ecosystem. During the two month suspension, commuters faced higher auto rickshaw fares and limited affordable transport options. The situation reflects broader tensions between innovation in urban mobility and existing regulatory frameworks.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 22, giving the state government one month to decide on framing appropriate regulatory guidelines. Until then, the legal status of these resumed services remains uncertain, leaving both operators and commuters in a regulatory gray area.
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