Bike taxis halted post HC order, auto fares surge amid public outcry

Bengaluru

Following the Karnataka High Court order, bike taxi services in Bengaluru were suspended starting Monday, June 10. Despite the ban, Bengaluru Traffic Police impounded over 200 vehicles found operating illegally, demonstrating the continued defiance of the court's directive.

This ban has led to a significant increase in demand for auto-rickshaws, and in response, aggregator platforms have reportedly inflated their fares, with minimum prices surging to as high as ₹70. This sudden price hike has sparked widespread public outrage, with many commuters decrying it as daylight robbery. This comes after a recent central government directive that prohibited aggregators from collecting advance payments.

Commuters are vocalizing their frustrations on social media, complaining that the increased fares are a direct hit to their pockets. Many highlight discrepancies between regular auto fares and those charged by app-based services like Ola, Uber, and Namma Yatri.

For instance, a trip from Koramangala to Langford Road typically costs between ₹140-₹150 by meter. However, Uber is now showing fares of ₹190-₹200 for the same route, with similar issues reported on Namma Yatri and Rapido.

The four major aggregator services operating in Bengaluru – Namma Yatri, Ola, Uber, and Rapido – have reportedly increased their base fares by at least ₹20-₹30. Additionally, passengers are complaining about an option to offer higher tips for faster service, which further exacerbates their difficulties.

One commuter noted that a ride from Akshaya Nagar to Mahatma Gandhi Road, which normally costs ₹160-₹170 by a regular auto, was showing ₹230 on Tuesday. Similarly, an Uber ride from Vidyapeetha to Trinity Circle, previously costing ₹165-₹170, also saw a price increase starting Tuesday.

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Passengers lament that these app-based services frequently raise fares based on demand, particularly during peak hours in the mornings and evenings, while prices might revert to normal in the afternoons. This demand-based pricing model is seen as a primary source of increased revenue for these companies, often at the expense of the public.

The Karnataka High Court's single-judge bench had explicitly ordered bike taxi services to cease operations for the next six weeks unless the state government formulates rules under the Motor Vehicles Act (specifically Consumer Protection Act 2019 Section 2(47)). Despite this clear directive, some bike taxis continued to operate covertly, leading to the police crackdown and vehicle seizures. The ongoing situation highlights the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to address the evolving landscape of urban transportation in Bengaluru.