Ola gets notice for illegal operation of bike taxis

The transport commissioner on Friday issued a notice to ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd, which operates Ola cabs, for operating bike taxis violating license conditions.

Sources in the regional transport office said about 30 bikes were seized for providing taxi service through app-based platforms. The notice quotes inquiry reports by senior officers from Bengaluru (South), which have found that "Ola is illegally offering services through two-wheelers".

The notice further states that "it has been confirmed that Ola company has been repeatedly violating rules in Bengaluru".

The commissioner has given one week time to Ola to explain why the company's licence should not be cancelled as per Rule 11 of Aggregator Rules, 2016.

The state government has not given permission for the operation of bike taxis. A committee has been set up look into the viability of such a service.

Ola spokespersons have declined to comment on bike taxi operations.

A source, however, said the service currently offered through the app was only experimental and aimed at studying the demand patterns in the city. Asked whether the company has the permit for the experiment, the source replied in the negative.