Karnataka High Court stops bike taxis, gives government 3 months to set rules

The Karnataka High Court, on Wednesday, ordered all bike taxi services, including Rapido, Ola, and Uber, to stop operating in the state within six weeks. The court said these services cannot run unless the Karnataka government creates rules under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The court gave the state government three months to make these rules for bike taxi operations. Justice BM Shyam Prasad said, “The transport department cannot be forced to register motorcycles as transport vehicles or give permits for bike taxis until the government sets up proper regulations.”

The state government argued that bike taxis are not allowed because two-wheelers with white number plates cannot be used for commercial purposes under the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules.
This decision followed petitions from companies like Rapido, Uber, and Ola, who asked the court to allow the transport department to register two-wheelers as transport vehicles and issue permits.

The court mentioned a 2019 expert committee report that looked at how bike taxis affect traffic and safety, saying clear rules are needed before these services can continue. Justice Prasad added, “A person who denies change becomes the architect of decay,” asking the companies to follow the order.

Senior Advocate Arun Kumar, speaking for one of the parties, said Ola started its bike taxi service in April 2024. The court noted this but said all companies must stop their services within six weeks. Rapido, Ola, and Uber run bike taxis in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru.