Ola-counter-rapido ban: The High Court, while giving an important verdict, has ordered a ban on app based bike taxi services like Ola, Uber and Rapido in the entire state from 16 June 2025. The court has clarified that such services cannot be allowed until the state government makes clear guidelines for the bike taxi operation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
This order will directly affect daily passengers and drivers in other urban areas of the state including Bengaluru. On the one hand, while millions of people use these services for fast and affordable travel, on the other hand this decision can make a big impact on employment for drivers.
The case is to petitions filed by Ola’s parent company ANI Technologies, Uber India and Rapido. These companies had appealed to the High Court to declare bike taxi services valid and allow two -wheelers with yellow number plates to be registered in the transport category.
However, the Karnataka court dismissed this petition and said that “without clear policy and rules, these services cannot be considered valid.”
Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad’s bench said in its order: “Bike taxi services in the state cannot be allowed until the government implements concrete guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.”
Also, the Karnataka Court has directed the state government to prepare regulation within three months. During this period, no app based bike taxi service can be operated in the state.
Yes, in April 2025, the High Court gave interim relief to these companies till June 15 so that they could continue their services. But now this relief has not been carried forward. Therefore, from June 16, these services will be completely closed.
Significantly, the Karnataka government launched an electric bike taxi scheme in the year 2021, but due to lack of security and regulation it was withdrawn in March 2024.
Passenger: In the metropolis like Bengaluru, where traffic jam is common, the bike taxi became a popular option for fast and affordable travel. Due to the closure of this service, passengers will now have to resort to auto rickshaws or expensive taxi options.
Driver: Thousands of youth were running their livelihood by joining these services. Now they have to find new employment, which can be a big challenge.
Now everyone’s eyes are on the state government what kind of policies and security standards make for bike taxi services in the next three months. If the government does not make a clear policy in this direction, then there is a possibility that these services may remain closed for a long time.
