Auto fares surge after bike taxi ban

Following the state-wide ban on bike taxis, residents of Bengaluru are facing a sharp hike in auto-rickshaw fares, with aggregator platforms like Ola accused of exploiting the situation.

Citizens allege that companies have taken advantage of the ban by inflating auto fares, especially during peak hours and short-distance trips. For instance, commuters report that traveling just 2.02 km from Town Hall to Majestic bus stand should cost ₹30–₹35 as per government guidelines. However, Ola autos are reportedly charging up to ₹98 for the same ride. This surge has triggered widespread public outrage, with many demanding that fares strictly adhere to meter rates.

Bengaluru introduced bike taxi services in 2021. Since then, tensions had grown between bike taxi operators and conventional auto and cab drivers. Several confrontations were reported, eventually prompting legal intervention. On April 2, the Karnataka High Court’s single-judge bench had directed that all bike taxi services be shut down within six weeks.

As the court-imposed deadline neared its end in May, major operators like Rapido, Ola, and Uber approached the court requesting an extension. After reviewing their appeal, the court extended the deadline until June 15. With the ban now in effect, commuters are left with limited options and are calling on the government to monitor pricing and prevent unfair practices by aggregators. Authorities have yet to respond with a formal regulation or fare control mechanism, further fuelling public concern about the transparency of urban transport fares.