Take action against bike-taxis running on private vehicle number plates: TGPWU head

Even as a division bench of the Karnataka High Court is hearing a plea in connection with bike-taxis plying the roads in that State, gig and platform workers’ union has reiterated their demand of such motorcycles being strictly regulated in Hyderabad.

“The Karnataka High Court is hearing the matter. First of all, we do not want a complete end to bike-taxis. We are only saying that they be regulated. Those doing trips on bikes with white number plates (private vehicles) must be stopped,” Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU)office bearer Shaik Salauddin said.

The Union said that all riders using their two-wheelers as taxis use motorcycles, or mopeds, bearing commercial vehicle registration numbers. This, they maintained, is in consonance with the existing laws.

“We are also demanding that aggregators be held responsible in cases in which bike-taxis are plying the roads as private vehicles,” Mr Salauddin said and added, “Multiple representations about this issue were made in the past to the State government. The State is losing revenue because of this. There are other factors as well.”

Meanwhile, the union added that bike-taxi riders be given ample time, and support in terms of familiarising them with existing laws, and rules so as to protect their livelihoods. While it does not appear that they would be banned in Telangana in one fell swoop, efforts must be made so as to ensure that only those bike-taxis plying the roads with commercial vehicle registration number plates be encouraged.

“A scenario in which immediate action is taken and they are banned should be avoided as livelihoods depend on this. Steps should be taken to reduce white number plate bike-taxis in a phased manner,” he said.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, however, allowed such bike-taxis in their guidelines for taxi aggregators.