High Court clears bike taxi services in Karnataka, strikes down state ban

In a major relief for commuters and app-based operators, the Karnataka High Court has allowed bike taxis to operate in the state, overturning the earlier order that upheld the government’s ban.

In a significant judgment with wide public impact, the Karnataka High Court has allowed the use of motorcycles as taxis in the state, effectively lifting the ban imposed earlier by the state government. The ruling opens the door for bike taxi services to resume operations, especially in traffic-heavy cities like Bengaluru.

The decision was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi. The bench set aside the earlier order of a single judge, which had upheld the state government’s decision to prohibit bike taxi services. With this, the High Court has granted relief to app-based ride-hailing companies such as Ola and Uber, which had challenged the ban.

What the Court decided

The division bench allowed the appeals filed by Ola and Uber, thereby permitting bike taxis to function in Karnataka. By overturning the single bench ruling, the court has removed the legal hurdle that stopped bike taxis from operating in the state.

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Earlier, the single judge had supported the government’s argument that bike taxis were not permitted under existing transport rules. That view has now been reversed by the division bench.

Background of the case:

The Karnataka government had issued an order banning bike taxi services, citing concerns over traffic rule violations and the impact on the livelihood of auto-rickshaw drivers. The government maintained that using private motorcycles as taxis was not legally permissible.

Aggrieved by this decision, app-based aggregators approached the High Court. While the single bench initially ruled in favour of the government, the companies moved the division bench through appeals, which has now resulted in a favourable verdict for bike taxi operators.

Government’s response:

Reacting to the High Court ruling, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the government is yet to receive the official copy of the judgment. Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, he stated that the order would be examined in detail once received.

He added that discussions would be held with the Transport Department Commissioner, after which the government would decide on the next course of action. This could include further legal steps or policy-level decisions.

The court’s decision is expected to benefit daily commuters, particularly in Bengaluru, where traffic congestion and high auto fares are common complaints. Bike taxis offer a faster and more affordable option for short-distance travel.

However, the ruling may increase anxiety among auto-rickshaw drivers, who have consistently opposed bike taxi services, arguing that they affect their income and operate without equal regulatory conditions.

With the High Court clearing bike taxi operations, motorcycles offering taxi services are likely to return to Karnataka roads soon. It remains to be seen whether the state government will challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court or introduce a fresh regulatory framework for bike taxis.