Karnataka seizes 263 illegal bike taxis in Bengaluru transport crackdown

The Karnataka Transport Department seized 263 private two-wheelers across Bengaluru on Wednesday during a special enforcement drive against illegal bike taxi operations. The vehicles were registered under the non-transport category for private use but were found to be operating commercially, in violation of state transport regulations.

According to M.P. Omkareshwari, Additional Commissioner for Transport (Enforcement, South & Bengaluru Urban), officials inspected and impounded the vehicles during the drive. The enforcement targeted two-wheelers engaged in commercial passenger transport without the required permits.

The action comes a day after Transport Department officials met representatives of the Karnataka App-Based Workers Union (KAWU). The union had warned of a strike if the department failed to act against unauthorised bike taxi operations in the city.

Officials stated that the department has intensified enforcement measures and will continue to identify, seize, and impound private vehicles used as illegal bike taxis. This includes vehicles operating through app-based aggregators as well as other non-permitted private two-wheelers.

The number of vehicles seized in a single day points to the scale of unauthorised bike taxi operations in Bengaluru. Transport department officials described the drive as part of a continuous effort to curb the practice, which has expanded with the growth of app-based mobility platforms.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, a vehicle registered for personal use under the non-transport category cannot be used for commercial purposes without a valid transport permit. A permit ensures that the vehicle meets safety standards, including fitness certification and insurance coverage for passengers. Operating without a permit attracts penalties as specified under the law.

The distinction between transport and non-transport vehicles is a key principle of the Motor Vehicles Act. Non-transport vehicles are intended solely for personal use, while transport vehicles must be registered for commercial purposes and meet stricter safety requirements. Using a private vehicle for hire without such registration is a punishable offence.

The unauthorised use of private vehicles as bike taxis has raised concerns about passenger safety, particularly in the absence of adequate insurance and regular vehicle inspections. App-based aggregator services have expanded rapidly in Bengaluru in recent years, offering two-wheeler rides at competitive fares. However, many of these services have operated without clearly conforming to the existing regulatory requirements.

The Karnataka App-Based Workers Union has called for a clear regulatory framework that would allow legitimate bike taxi services to operate while ensuring safety and social security for drivers. The union's warning to the transport department underscored the tension between the growth of platform-based mobility services and the existing legal structure.

Bike taxis have emerged as a popular mode of transport across Indian cities, with several states either regulating them or considering such rules. In Karnataka, the transport department has maintained that existing laws require a permit for any commercial two-wheeler passenger service. The absence of a separate policy specific to app-based bike taxis has led to legal challenges and continued enforcement actions.

The Transport Department has advised vehicle owners against using private two-wheelers for commercial purposes without proper registration, and has asked commuters to use only authorised transport services. Further enforcement drives are expected in other parts of the state.