New Delhi
Uber, Ola and Rapido bike taxi services banned by Delhi government
News by Team Drivio | 23 Feb 2023
Delhi joins the list of the places where this cost-effective and convenient mode of transport is now no more.
- Bike taxis in Delhi-NCR violated the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988
- The act prohibits the commercial use of two-wheelers with private registrations
- Companies found violating the order could be penalised with a fine of Rs 1 lakh
Bike taxis quickly gained popularity for providing swift and inexpensive rides. Booking them online over smartphone was super easy. The bike taxis address urban mobility needs and are a viable solution for mobility as a service, allowing consumers to offset rising fuel costs through lower prices
Why people prefer bike taxi services?
Bike taxis and other paratransit transportation services have made transportation more affordable and accessible. Office goers often chose this mode of transport over its three or four wheeler counterparts because of the ease of slicing through traffic that two-wheelers bring.
What the banned order for bike taxis state?
According to a public order issued by the Delhi Transport Department, bike taxis in Delhi-NCR violated the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, which disallows the use of two-wheelers with private registrations for commercial purposes. Delhi Transport Department, has hence, prohibited Rapido, Uber, and Ola from operating bike taxis in the country's capital, with violators facing a penalty of Rs 1 lakh.
The transport department's notice warns that if any of the ride-sharing companies continue to provide bike taxi services in Delhi, they will be fined Rs 5,000 for the first offence and Rs 10,000 plus jail time for any subsequent offence. In addition, the drivers' licences will be suspended for three years.
While bike taxis are a lot more affordable, companies will now have to take steps to ensure that they use commercial number plates. While it’ll likely require a lot of paperwork to be complied with, the demand for these kinds of taxis should act as an incentive for companies like Rapido, Ola and Uber.
