ZipGo buses not registered, transport officials claim

Transport Department officials inspected minibus aggregator ZipGo’s offices in Koramangala on Wednesday, seeking information about its buses and their registration with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

Joint Commissioner of Transport Narendra Holkar Holkar told Deccan Herald that the sudden decision to inspect the offices of ZipGo was prompted by the seizure of a minibus aggregated to the firm during a drive on Tuesday evening.

“We found that the bus was not carrying the registration certificate and other documents like fitness certificate and insurance. We had to stop the vehicle midway during its journey and passengers were put to inconvenience. We were surprised that ZipGo restarted its service after it had told officials that it will close it down. In view of Tuesday’s raid, we decided to inspect the company’s offices and find out details about its operations.”

The inspection and questioning on Wednesday lasted a couple of hours beginning 3.30 pm. Holkar was accompanied by a team of transport officials who asked the ZipGo representatives for information on the number of buses aggregated to the company.

“But no such information was provided by them. It was a legal team that spoke to us. The CEO and founders of the company were not available. The legal team told us that the company was only a technology provider and that it did not own any bus. When asked who takes responsibility for violations, the team told us the drivers and owners of the vehicles were responsible as the company did not own the vehicles. No other information was provided.”

The official went on, “We warned the company that action would continue against ZipGo minibuses as part of the drive against all vehicles. We have decided to implement the Motor Vehicles Act in letter and spirit. The company has to acquire a registration certificate from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA). Only then will it be allowed to continue. If it doesn’t, we will act against it as per law. It is for the company to come and clarify and give us details of its operations.”

Owners who had attached their vehicles to the aggregator had permits only for contract carriage.

But, in complete violation of rules, ZipGo is operating them as stage-carriage vehicles on the lines of city buses operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). ZipGo currently operates from places like Indiranagar, Koramangala, BTM Layout, Jayanagar and others to the ITPB, Electronics City and Manyata Tech Park at a fixed fare of Rs 29 per trip.