Bike taxis, ease of making movement

For a vast majority of Indians, public transport - anything from jugaad rehris to air-conditioned app-based taxis and metros - is a way of life. Somewhere between these two ends of the transit spectrum are options like 'bike taxis'. Over the last few years, they have become very popular for their ability to deftly negotiate traffic snarls. On top of that, they are pocket-friendly and provide the crucial last-mile connectivity that most city transport plans sorely lack. On Monday, however, the Supreme Court stayed two decisions of the Delhi High Court that directed the Delhi government not to take any coercive action against bike taxi aggregators Rapido and Uber till guidelines governing the grant of licences to such aggregators are notified.

In February, the Delhi government issued a public notice stating that bike taxis are prohibited in the national capital. The city has nearly 35,000 bike taxi operators. Similar bans are also in place in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Delhi government contended that bike taxi aggregators were operating two-wheelers without proper licences or permits, as required under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and that non-transport two-wheelers should not be used as taxis without a policy, which it has promised by July 31.

While regulating - including strict adherence to safety - this nascent sector is required, bans are of no use. It only denies commuters ease of mobility and employment opportunities. At the same time, it is essential to look beyond the bike taxi issue and understand the larger challenge: the lack of viable integrated mass public transit that can provide people with a seamless and dependable transport experience essential not just for human movement but also for inclusive growth.