‘Everyone wants cheaper transport’: Karnataka HC hears appeals against bike taxi ban

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday began hearing appeals regarding the legality of bike taxi services.

The appeals have challenged the single-bench order that ride-hailing firms cannot offer bike taxi services unless the state government notifies relevant guidelines under Section 92 of the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act and rules thereunder.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and C M Joshi also admitted more appeals filed on the same subject and ordered a notice to the state government.

Senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for two bike owners, pointed out that the single bench had ruled that a motorcycle can be used as a transport vehicle if the state government forms rules. He further mentioned that a division bench of the high court, in an earlier litigation, had held that a motor car, including a motorcycle, is entitled to register as a transport vehicle.

"A motorcycle could be used for hire with one passenger as a pillion. A person who wants to travel (on a bike taxi) cannot be stopped from doing so. Everyone wants a cheaper and faster mode of transport in Bengaluru," he said.

Chinnappa further submitted that Karnataka withdrew the electric bike taxi scheme in 2024, barely three years after implementing it, citing a committee's report that it is not a feasible idea to have bike taxis.

Defending the bike taxi ban, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty stated that after the bike taxis stopped operations, there has been a big surge in the number of travellers on the metro and other modes of public transport.

In response, Chinnappa said it was for people to decide whether they want to travel by the metro or bike taxi.

Meanwhile, some passengers have filed interlocutory applications seeking to participate in the proceedings.

The bench adjourned the hearing until Wednesday.