Recently, auto drivers, taxi drivers, and owners in the state capital Bengaluru held a ‘Bangalore Bandh’ on September 11, demanding a ban on Rapido Bike Taxis.
Transport Minister Ramalingareddy reached the protest site and assured the drivers that some of their demands would be met. After the minister’s statement, the private transport union called off the bandh. At a time when the drivers and owners should heave a sigh of relief, now, Ola Bike Taxi has started operations in Bangalore.
This will make the lives of taxi drivers, including auto drivers difficult. Now it is difficult for us to make a living with Rapido Bike Taxi. We also have difficulty with the Shakti Yojana. Besides, Ola Bike Taxi has also started. The drivers are expressing grief that we will not get rides due to this.
Ola has also started offering bike services unofficially. This should be stopped immediately, the private transport union appealed to the transport commissioner.
Speaking to eedina.com, Additional Transport Commissioner and Secretary (Karnataka State Transport Authority) L. Hemant Kumar said, “We will not give permission to anyone. Ola, and Uber are not licensed to operate bike taxis. Application is received from Ola. If unauthorized bike taxis are started, we will stop them. Now we will first investigate whether Ola is running bike taxis illegally. Then we will take further action,” he said.
