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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Karnataka bike taxi riders left in limbo, call for regulation over blanket ban
Hundreds of bike taxi riders across Karnataka say their livelihood is in crisis following the State government's ongoing crackdown on bike taxis. Riders are now demanding urgent regulation of the sector, arguing that the absence of clear policy has left many jobless and struggling to make ends meet. 'My phone won't stop ringing, 250 to 300 drivers call me every day, asking what they should do,' said Mohammed Salim, president of the Namma Bike Taxi Association. 'I don't know what to tell them. Should we lose our livelihood because the government has no policy for bike taxis? We don't want chaos. We need regulation, not a ban,' he added. Last year alone, Karnataka saw over 8 crore bike taxi rides, Mr. Salim pointed out. 'We're not asking for favours, we're asking for the right to work legally and safely.' Ban pushes families into financial distress For many, the impact of the ban has been deeply personal. Imran M., 37, a father of two, said he has had to borrow money twice this month just to get by. 'My daughter's school is asking for fees, and I have nothing left. I used to earn enough to support my family. Now, we're surviving on borrowed time.' Another rider, Sathish, 26, questioned the State government's double standards. 'Delivery partners can use the same bike to deliver food, but I get fined for giving someone a ride. Where's the logic in that? All I want is to earn an honest living.' Meanwhile, several bike taxi riders have begun shifting to food and quick commerce delivery platforms in an effort to sustain themselves. 'I started delivering food and quick commerce apps just two days ago. I have been working as a bike taxi rider for over two years, and adjusting to this new kind of work hasn't been easy. It's physically demanding and the pay is unpredictable.' Open letters The Namma Bike Taxi Association has written a series of open letters to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, but riders say they are yet to receive a response. 'What's ironic is that the same government passed a Gig Worker Welfare Bill just last month. And yet, they are dismantling a sector that provides flexible income to thousands of gig workers across the state,' said Mr. Salim. As desperation grows among riders, many fear that the longer the delay in regulation, the worse their situation will become. The association members are now calling for an immediate dialogue with the government to frame a legal structure that protects both riders and passengers.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's bike taxi riders in a fix over ban, urge Karnataka govt to reverse crackdown
Days after the bike taxi ban in Karnataka, over a hundred bike taxi riders affiliated with the Namma Bike Taxi Association on Thursday convened with Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Dasarahalli MLA S Muniraju, calling for a reversal of the decision, news agency ANI reported. Acting on behalf of thousands of drivers state-wide, the association submitted a formal appeal seeking lawful recognition for bike taxis and the introduction of a structured regulatory framework to eliminate confusion and harassment. This meeting comes after several ignored communications to key political leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and MP Rahul Gandhi, the report stated. The Congress government in Karnataka came under fire for its silence particularly due to its recent passage of the Gig Worker Welfare Bill, a legislation meant to protect workers in flexible job markets. 'My phone won't stop ringing - 250 to 300 drivers call me every day, asking for help. And I don't know what to tell them. Should we lose our livelihoods because the government has no policy for bike taxis? We don't want chaos. We need regulation, not a ban,' Mohammed Salim, President, Namma Bike Taxi Association, said, as quoted by ANI. Bike taxi drivers said there are rising tensions with auto-rickshaw unions, while commuters also expressed frustration over a spike in Bengaluru's traffic as well as auto rickshaw and taxi fares after the crackdown on bike taxis. ALSO READ | Bengaluru traffic '5X worse' after bike taxi ban? Residents complain of choking roads The Central Government's Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines of 2020 classify bike taxis as legitimate under Section 2(7), but Karnataka has yet to enact corresponding state regulations. Although an Electric Bike Taxi Policy was introduced in 2021, it was quietly repealed in 2024 without explanation, leaving both service providers and users in a regulatory vacuum. (With inputs from ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bike taxi drivers allege harassment by auto unions over plan to protest ban; demand legal framework
After the bike taxi ban came into effect on June 16, over 100 drivers from aggregator platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido in Karnataka alleged harassment by auto unions and said they were denied permission to protest at Freedom Park due to pressure from such groups. The drivers, part of the Namma Bike Taxi Association , submitted a petition on Thursday, demanding legal recognition of bike taxis and a clear policy framework to end harassment and regulatory confusion. 'Last year, Karnataka saw over eight crore bike taxi rides. We're not asking for favours, we're asking for the right to work legally and safely,' said Mohammed Salim, president of the association. Representatives of the bike taxi drivers also met Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Dasarahalli MLA S Muniraju on Thursday, seeking urgent intervention to reverse the ongoing crackdown on bike taxi services in the state. The meeting follows a series of open letters addressed to chief minister Siddaramaiah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and MP Rahul Gandhi, none of which have elicited a response. The association said it's ironic on the government's part, as they were the ones to pass a Gig Worker Welfare Bill just last month, while banning a sector that offers flexible income to thousands. Salim said over 300 drivers are calling him daily, seeking help. 'And I don't know what to tell them. Should we lose our livelihoods because the government has no policy for bike taxis? We don't want chaos. We need regulation, not a ban,' he said. Commuters face the brunt Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Daily commuters said they have been feeling the pinch since the ban, with auto fares rising sharply. Many also complained of frequent booking cancellations unless they added high tips. Several commuters have called for a public consultation on the issue and urged the government to withdraw the ban. 'Auto fares are going through the roof. I used to pay Rs 50 on a bike taxi, now autos charge Rs 100 to Rs 150 for the same distance,' said a college student in the city. The union pointed out that despite the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020 from the Centre recognising bike taxis, Karnataka is yet to formulate corresponding rules. 'The state's 2021 Electric Bike Taxi Policy was also quietly withdrawn in 2024, leaving thousands of drivers without regulatory protection,' it said in a statement. With the ban in full effect, bike taxi drivers are facing a tough time earning a living. Imran M, a father of two who uses the aggregator apps, said, 'I've borrowed twice already this month. My daughter's school is asking for fees, and I have nothing left.' Similarly, Sathish, a 26-year-old driver who treated ferrying passengers as his regular job, said, 'Delivery partners can use the same bike to deliver food, but I get fined for giving someone a ride. Where's the logic in that?'
