Karnataka High Court allows bike taxi operations to continue till June 2025
Earlier, the High Court had set a six-week deadline for the government to regulate the bike taxi industry, with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy directing the department to comply and establish proper regulations.
The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to bike taxi aggregators including Rapido, Ola, Uber, and others, allowing them to continue operations until June 15, 2025. This ruling follows a petition filed by the platforms, seeking clarification on regulatory guidelines and ongoing discussions with the state government regarding a comprehensive bike taxi policy.
The petition was heard by a bench led by Justice B M Shyamaprasad, and the court’s decision enables these platforms to operate temporarily, while the government works on a regulatory framework under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Earlier, the High Court had set a six-week deadline for the government to regulate the bike taxi industry, with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy directing the department to comply and establish proper regulations.
Rapido expressed its appreciation for the decision, highlighting that an abrupt ban could have severely impacted the livelihoods of over 6 lakh riders and their families in Karnataka. The company has been actively collaborating with state authorities to help shape a clear and inclusive bike taxi policy.
As part of its ongoing efforts, Rapido is launching a food delivery pilot project next week to sustain operations while awaiting regulatory guidelines to be finalised.
Rapido has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, aiming to create 5 lakh livelihood opportunities per month for gig workers across the country. This initiative will connect individuals registered on the National Career Service (NCS) platform, with flexible earning options.
Founded in 2015, Rapido offers bike taxis, auto-rickshaws, and cabs in over 250 cities. With 3.5 million rides daily, Rapido bridges last-mile connectivity gaps, making transportation more accessible and affordable. Beyond mobility, Rapido has generated over 9 million job opportunities for gig workers, it said in a statement.
Edited by Kanishk Singh