The Karnataka State Transport department has deemed Ola and Uber’s newly launched bike taxi services as illegal, since they do not have permits to operate as commercial vehicles in Bangalore, reports ET. Bangalore’s Commissioner for Transport & Road Safety, Dr Ramegowda told MediaNama that Ola and Uber have to go to the Road Transport Authority (RTA) of the state to obtain permission in order to operate in the city. In a telephonic conversation, he explained further: MediaNama: What steps do bike taxis need to take to operate in the city? Dr Ramegowda: First of all, they have to go before the RTA and make an application, then get permission and unless they get permission, they cannot operate. Everything needs a permit, only then will their service be updated as a taxi. The taxi will (need to) have a yellow board and subsequently the permit, the driver will have a badge for the transportation, and it will be a commercial vehicle, which can operate as a taxi. They have to follow 182A, otherwise it attracts penal provisions. It (operating bike taxis) is a violation of the central Motor Vehicles Act (MVA). The Section 182A of the MVA states: “Punishment for offences relating to construction and maintenance of vehicles.—Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 109, shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees for the first offence and with a fine of five thousand rupees for any subsequent offences.” Also read: Why Karnataka’s cab aggregator rules…
