State govt has admitted that it has become difficult to control bike taxu operations
Pune: State govt is considering granting temporary permits to bike taxis, with transport minister Pratap Sarnaik conceding that it has become difficult to control illegal operations despite action against aggregators.
Controlling them is difficult, and one option is to grant temporary permission for a specified period (6-8 months) during which they can comply with the norms,” he said. An FIR has already been registered against Rapido, and it makes no sense to consider allowing bike taxis,” Kshirsagar said, threatening to intensify their planned Nov 2 agitation. Because they are convenient and affordable, “I use bike taxis.
Sarnaik told TOI that govt may give operators a time-bound window to comply with the state’s bike taxi policy, including switching to electric vehicles and obtaining commercial licences. He said FIRs would be lodged against non-compliant operators. Sarnaik said govt would discuss this proposal at the highest levels before a decision was made. Keshav Kshirsagar, president of Baghtoy Rickshawaala Union, said the proposal would only worsen sentiments. Shafiq Patel, president of Azad Rickshaw Chalak Sanghatna, said the service would affect autorickshaw drivers’ livelihood. How can authorities allow bike taxis to operate when many autorickshaw drivers are already struggling to get passengers?” he said. Anhit Sopalkar, a Kalyaninagar resident, said frequent refusals by autorickshaw drivers and overcharging had pushed him towards bike taxis. Safety measures are necessary, but why ban the services after they have started in Pune?” he said.
“However, a large number of illegal bike taxis are operating. In the interim, Sarnaik has authorised regional transport offices (RTOs) to continue action against unauthorised operators. The proposal has angered autorickshaw unions which oppose unauthorised bike taxis. “If govt acts against Rapido and Uber, things will fall in line. “Lakhs of drivers operate here … Commuters, however, argued that bike taxis offer a convenient alternative.