Karnataka MP Demands Fare Cap For App Autos After Bike Taxi Ban Hits Bengaluru Commuters

Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan has urged the state government to enforce the Rs 35 minimum fare for app-based autorickshaws, reported Hindustan Times.

This request comes after the Karnataka High Court's directive banning bike taxi services from 16 June.

The ban on bike taxi services has reportedly triggered steep fare increases for commuters.

"Following the Karnataka HC’s directive to end bike taxi services by 15 June, Bengaluru commuters have faced fare hikes of up to 25 per cent for autos,” Mohan stated, highlighting the impact of low-cost bike taxi withdrawal on urban mobility.

The ban stemmed from an April order by a single High Court judge.

This order stated aggregators Ola, Uber, and Rapido could not operate bike-taxi services unless the State Government notified relevant guidelines.

On Tuesday (24 June), a division bench, led by acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice CM Joshi, heard appeals filed by aggregators Ola, Uber, and Rapido, as well as two bike owners opposing the ban.

Senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, representing the bike owners, contended the ban violates their constitutional right to a lawful business.

"I have a fundamental right to operate my business. If the law operates and you prevent it then it cannot be done. This is the grievance of the bike owners,” he told the court, as reported by LiveLaw.

Mohan, meanwhile, called on Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to clamp down on app-based auto aggregators. He alleged these aggregators are bypassing fare limits the Karnataka High Court set.

"In May 2024, the high court upheld the transport department’s November 2022 fare cap -- Rs 30 base fare + 5 per cent service charge + 5 per cent GST. Fares must not exceed this,” Mohan asserted.