Bengaluru: Under pressure from auto pedicab and union taxi, the Department of Transportation, Monday confiscated 120 bicycles-taxi related to Rapido within the Yeshwanthpur RTO limit in just four hours.
L Narendra Holkar, an additional transportation commissioner (enforcement), said: “Based on motor vehicle regulations, whiteboard vehicles should not be used for taxis.
But they illegally use it for taxi-bikes.
We have received several complaints from the auto rickshaw union and others.
” Asked about the stay of the high court on the action against Rapido, he said: “We have not taken any action against Rapido.
We are raiding only against illegal cyclist riders, regardless of the company.
” He said the driver using illegal bicycle-taxis would not get insurance in the case of an accident.
“We plan to seize more bicycles in the coming days.
Every bicycle owner will have to pay a fine of RS 10,000-15,000 based on gravity violations, “Holkar said.
He added that the authorities had not given permission for each taxi-bike so far.
“It is illegal to operate bicycle-taxis in the city.
Many auto drivers have also complained that their income has been hit because of taxis.
” Rapido has operated non-electric bicycle-taxi since 2016.
Pavan Guntupalli, Co-Founder, Rapido, said: “The foreclosure of our bicycle is proof of how Rapido as a harassed brand.
Following a clear court order that was clear last April, Rapido had carried out a legal operation in Bengaluru.
This accusation is truly unfounded.
Rapido stands proud as a brand that obeys the law and is an entity to pay taxes in all countries operating in.
In the emergence of this problem, there is no way we will, in any way, compromise on our safety captain and passenger.
” He added that Rapido strongly condemned “false and unfounded accusations” by the United car in Bengaluru.
“We have filed official complaints with several authorities.
Despite the high court order …
the union has been continued with a procedural action such as restraint illegal, confinement of the professionals, and criminal intimidation of drivers and their families, causing loss of livelihoods and mental and physical harassment of our drivers.
malpractice such as disturbing our function and we hope for the fast resolution of the authorities, “he said.
In July, the government launched an ambitious electric bicycle-taxi carnataka scheme to allow bicycle-taxi to provide first and mile connectivity, especially in urban areas to and from the Metro, bus and train.
However, only two-wheeled bounce rental companies, which have just launched Infinity E1 (electric scooters with swappable batteries), have been implemented so far.
Ola and Uber have launched previous taxi-taxi services, but the operation was stopped after the transportation department seized their vehicle to plying without permission.