Bengaluru auto strike: Why are drivers protesting against bike taxis?

If you live in Bengaluru, you might have noticed that it’s hard to find an autorickshaw today. That’s because over two lakh auto drivers have gone on a 24-hour strike to protest against the operation of bike taxis in the city. They claim that bike taxis are illegal, and unsafe and threaten their livelihoods.

What are bike taxis?

Bike taxis are two-wheelers that offer rides to passengers for a fee. They are usually operated by mobile app-based aggregators like Rapido and Bounce, who connect riders with drivers. Bike taxis are seen as a convenient and affordable option for commuters who want to avoid traffic jams and reach their destinations faster.

Why are auto drivers against bike taxis?

Auto drivers say that bike taxis are violating the law by using personal white-board bikes (meant for private use) as commercial vehicles without obtaining any license from the transport department. They also allege that bike taxi services exploit youngsters by luring them with incentives and risking their lives.

Auto drivers argue that they have to follow many rules and regulations, such as getting permits, paying taxes, ensuring safety standards, and charging fares fixed by the government. But bike taxi operators do not have any such obligations and can charge lower rates, which affects their income.

Auto drivers also claim that bike taxis threaten passengers’ safety, especially women, as there is no proper verification of drivers or tracking of rides. They cite several incidents where bike taxi riders have faced harassment, assault, or accidents.

What do bike taxi operators say?

Bike taxi operators say they are providing a legal and essential service to the public, especially during the pandemic when public transport was disrupted. They say that they follow all safety protocols and comply with the guidelines issued by the transport department.

Bike taxi operators also contend that they create employment opportunities for thousands of youths who otherwise would be jobless or underemployed. They say that they are not competing with auto drivers but complementing them by offering an alternative mode of transport.

Bike taxi operators also point out that many other states like Telangana, Rajasthan, and Haryana have allowed bike taxis to operate legally and regulate them accordingly. They urge the Karnataka government to do the same and create a level playing field for all stakeholders.

What is the government’s stand?

The Karnataka government has not taken a clear stand on the issue of bike taxis yet. The transport department has granted permission to Bounce to run 100 e-bike taxis in Bengaluru under its Electric Bike Taxi Scheme. Still, it has not issued any policy framework for regulating other bike taxi services.

The transport minister Anand Singh has said that he will hold talks with auto unions and bike taxi aggregators to resolve their differences amicably. He has also appealed to auto drivers to call off their strike and resume their services in the public interest.