Karnataka HC Hears Plea to Lift Bike Taxi Ban as Women Commuters Call Service Safe, Affordable, Essential
Bengaluru: In a significant enforcement drive, Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials in Bengaluru have begun taking stringent action against unauthorized bike taxis operating in the city. Acting on a directive stemming from a recent High Court ruling, officials on Monday seized 103 two-wheelers being used for commercial purposes without proper authorization.
The move comes after a single-judge bench of the High Court clarified that there is no legal provision permitting the use of non-transport (white board) vehicles for commercial operations such as bike taxis. Following an appeal against the order, which was not ruled in favour of the bike taxi operators, RTO officials resumed checks across the city.
RTO authorities inspected multiple areas in Bengaluru to verify documents of suspected vehicles. “We found several bikes operating as taxis using white board registration, which is a clear violation. These vehicles were seized and brought to the RTO offices,” said Transport Department Additional Commissioner Mallikarjun.
Officials cited multiple violations, including absence of mandatory documents like vehicle insurance, valid RC, and pollution certificates. Each of these infractions carries separate penalties. However, the most serious violation remains the unauthorized use of white board vehicles for commercial transport, which is not allowed under current transport laws.
As per Section 53(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, vehicles operating without the requisite transport permit are subject to seizure and penalties. Bike taxis, by law, fall under commercial vehicles, which require a yellow board and a transport permit—something most seized vehicles lacked.
Authorities confirmed that no RTO in Karnataka has ever issued formal permission for operating bike taxis on white board vehicles. The crackdown is expected to continue in the coming days, with checks expanding across the city and other regions.
“We have directed all RTOs to intensify inspections and take strict action wherever unauthorized operations are found,” the official added.
The transport department has also clarified that while there exists a Rent-a-Cab scheme under the law, it allows rental of vehicles to individuals and not for use by drivers ferrying passengers commercially.
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