The Centre has permitted ride-hailing platforms to include “non-transport motorcycles” under their services in its updated guidelines for taxi aggregators, even as States like Karnataka continue to enforce a ban on bike taxis.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
The Bike Taxi Association (BTA) has called on the Karnataka government to immediately adopt the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Aggregator Guidelines 2025, warning that delays in regulation are endangering the livelihoods of thousands of riders.
In an open letter submitted to key Ministers across departments, including Labour, Transport, IT/BT, Industries, Revenue, and Health, as well as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, the BTA emphasised the legal viability of bike taxis under the Central law and the pressing need for State-level action.
“The law already allows the State to regulate bike taxis, and other States have done it successfully. We’re not asking for special treatment, just a fair framework so we can work legally and support our families. Every delay puts riders’ livelihoods at risk,” said a BTA representative in a release.
The release further stated that the letter outlined three main points: the MoRTH guidelines provide clear legal backing for regulation, thousands of riders rely on bike taxis to earn a living, and commuters benefit from affordable last-mile mobility.
The Centre has permitted ride-hailing platforms to include “non-transport motorcycles” under their services in its updated guidelines for taxi aggregators, even as States like Karnataka continue to enforce a ban on bike taxis.
The revised guidelines, released by the MoRTH on July 1, outline a regulatory framework that enables State governments to license and oversee aggregator operations. States have been given a three-month window to adopt these new guidelines.
Published – July 08, 2025 10:52 pm IST
