Three companies keen to operate bike taxis in city

Three companies, including Rapido, have expressed interest to operate electronic bike taxis in the city, with the transport department readying to kickstart the licensing process from next month.

The state government last week announced electric bike taxis as a scheme to offer first- and last-mile connectivity, besides allowing individual bike owners to offer ride services for a fee after obtaining the necessary licence from the department.

The licensing process will begin after the department notifies the base fares for the five- and 10-kilometre slabs as fixed in the policy.

“Work is ongoing to fix the fares for both the slabs,” a senior official told DH. “There are discussions on dynamic fares to allow competition. The policy stipulates a flat fare model. The view of stakeholders and interests of the general public will be considered before arriving at the flat fares.”

Government sources revealed several companies are interested in offering the service.

“Rapido and Bounce have expressed interest, while another company has sought details. Ultimately, it comes down to the fare. We also expect more start-ups to jump in on the opportunity in the coming days,” a source said.

Read | Karnataka allows electric bikes to be run as taxis

Cabbies raise objections

Cab drivers objected to the plan saying the scheme will only benefit rich aggregator companies at the cost of lakhs of autorickshaw and cab
drivers.

Ola, TaxiForSure, and Uber Drivers and Owners Association said the pandemic has hit the sector hard and the earnings are inadequate to support their daily needs.

“Lakhs of drivers will be pushed into a crisis with no way out. If the government doesn’t withdraw the bike taxi provision, we will go on an indefinite strike,” association president Tanveer Pasha said.