AI Illustation on bike taxis
The minister, while suggesting state govts permit private two-wheelers (white board) to operate as bike taxis, said the move would provide employment to around 8 crore people in the country. Bengaluru: At a time when the state transport department is cracking down on bike-taxi operations by seizing vehicles apart from threatening to suspend driving licences and registration certificates, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has once again shown support for the service.
In a statement, Rapido said that the remarks build on the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which provide for state govts to permit non-transport motorcycles to carry passengers through licensed aggregators.
A senior official said, “Proposals are not binding on the state govt. “Consistent adoption of this framework across states can provide greater regulatory clarity for captains and commuters who rely on bike taxis for earning opportunities and daily mobility,” the release stated. However, transport department officials maintain that the Centre’s suggestion is not binding on states and that bike taxis cannot operate in Karnataka without the state govt’s approval. Allowing bike taxis is a policy decision, and these decisions are taken at the govt level. Meanwhile, taxi aggregators have welcomed Nitin Gadkari’s suggestion. Transport minister Byrathi Suresh was unavailable for comment on Gadkari’s suggestion.