Relief for Ola Uber Rapido Bike Taxi Service MoRTH Advisory Could Remove Ban in Delhi Maharashtra

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has recently issued an advisory which may lift the existing ban on bike taxi services in metro cities like Delhi and Maharashtra. The advisory emphasizes on categorizing motorcycles as contract carriage under Section 2(7) of the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988. The ban on bike taxi services in Delhi and Maharashtra was a result of non-compliance of motor vehicle rules, especially the use of regular bikes for commercial purposes, which was a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

In response, the Delhi government warned that operating a bike taxi without a proper commercial license would be considered a legal violation, punishable with a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and license suspension for up to 3 years.

TOI’s Accordingthe new advisory from MoRTH encourages all States and Union Territories to accept and process applications for Contract Carriage Permit for motorcycles in line with the provisions of the MV Act and the rules attached thereto. If states like Delhi and Maharashtra adopt these guidelines, bike taxi services could potentially resume.

Bike taxis coming back on the roads can provide commuters with a much-needed alternative transportation mode, especially in congested urban areas. Apart from this, it will also benefit those looking for job opportunities and additional sources of income.

While bike taxi services faced challenges and bans in some states, other states like Goa, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have allowed their operation.