Bengaluru auto, taxi unions seek action on bike-taxi apps

Bengaluru’s auto and taxi unions have asked the transport department to act against app-based bike-taxi services within 15 days, including by seeking the removal of aggregator apps from online marketplaces.

The Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations made the request in a complaint to the department. It alleged that bike-taxi operators were running services without a legal framework while the matter was pending before the Supreme Court.

The federation asked the department to act under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, among other laws. It said drivers would display black flags on their vehicles if authorities did not begin action within 15 days.

The complaint also alleged gaps in insurance coverage and verification of vehicle owners. The unions said aggregators offering auto and cab rides were not following government-fixed fares and called for a “one city, one fare” policy for auto and cab services.