Delhi bans bike taxis on city roads. What does this mean for the future of drivers?

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Anand Rai, 29, is one of many bike taxi drivers scouring the streets of the nation’s capital, staring at an uncertain future after the Delhi government ordered ride-sharing platforms to stop using private cars. The drivers said the government should have policies for them, rather than crackdowns and fines.

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Updated on:
February 22, 2023 at 12:26 am

Earlier, Mumbai HC had directed the State Transport Department to reconsider Rapido's valid license/permit application (HT PHOTO) (HT_PRINT)
Earlier, Mumbai HC had directed the State Transport Department to reconsider Rapido’s valid license/permit application (HT PHOTO) (HT_PRINT)

The transport department has warned bike taxis against driving on Delhi’s roads, warning it is a breach of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, which will see aggregators fined ¥100,000. Using a privately registered two-wheeler for commercial purposes is an offense under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988.First-time offenders may be fined ¥5,000 while a second offense may incur ¥10,000 fine and up to one year in prison, the department said in the announcement.

As of Monday, 25 drivers had been challenged for operating the bike taxis, according to officials. They said aggregators were observed not to check that two-wheelers had a valid PUCC and that the vehicles were over-aged, which exacerbated the pollution problem. This terrified drivers, many of whom refused to accept bookings from Delhi to avoid penalties.

Also read: Delhi wants Uber, Ola, Rapido bike taxis to go electric to avoid ban

Rai, who has driven with Ola, Uber and Rapido, said on Tuesday he received a reservation from a customer threatening to confiscate his vehicle. “I closed the app immediately. People are terrified of bookings from Delhi. I came to Delhi to work with taxi aggregators and drive a four wheeler. Somehow I managed to arrange a money for a two wheeler and Start driving for the three aggregators,” said the Azamgarh resident.

Back home, Rai has his own car repair business, but he’s here for better opportunities. The money he earned was sent to his parents and wife. “I bought a second-hand two-wheeler by arranging money, now if this is banned, I will try to arrange money to buy a four-wheeler,” he said.

Pramod (25) started using a bicycle given to him by his father after he couldn’t find a job last year.he makes money ¥700 per day. Pramod is from Uttar Pradesh and lives with his father in Yamuna Vihar. The rest of the family lives in Uttar Pradesh. “We send home the money we earn,” he said.

“I’m a graduate. But couldn’t find a job, so decided to register with Ola and use my bike as a two-wheel taxi. I earn about 500-700 rupees a day. I was told about two-wheel taxis yesterday No, you won’t be allowed to enter the capital, I don’t think that’s the case

“I haven’t thought about what I’m going to do if I can’t get an Ola taxi. It’s so weird. They should be thinking about the poor,” he stressed.

Mohammad Amir, 23, a resident of Ghaziabad, has been saving money to build a nursing home for his younger brother, who is studying to be a doctor. “I’m a 10th grader. I started driving a bicycle taxi in my free time, but I earned ¥15000 to ¥20000 per month. We do about 15 to 20 rides a day, 8 to 10 of which are in Derry. If this crackdown intensifies, we will suffer huge losses,” he said.

Amir said that he could even go back to his hometown to farm, but there are still many people who can only make a living from this. “I am saving money so that my brother, who is in medical education, can open a nursing home in Ghaziabad. I can still rely on other options, but there are many others who are completely dependent on it. The government should consider them,” he said explain.

Govind, another bike taxi driver who owns a taxi aggregator, said that if drivers are challenged, a significant portion of his monthly income goes towards paying them. “I have been in this industry for six months and earn ¥15,000 to ¥16,000 per month. I also send money home. If this intensifies, it will be a huge shock,” he said.

After the Delhi government issued a bulletin warning aggregators and bike taxi drivers, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday said the aggregator policy for two-, three- and four-wheelers is in the final stages. phase, which will be launched soon, to help them apply for licenses under the new scheme.

First published date: Feb 22, 2023 at 12:26pm CST

https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/two-wheelers/delhi-bans-bike-taxis-from-city-roads-what-does-it-mean-for-riders-future-41677048750382.html

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