Bike taxi services operated by app-based companies in Karnataka came to a halt on Monday (June 16, 2025) after the Karnataka High Court directed them to suspend operations.
In compliance with the order, bike taxi service options were removed from ride-hailing apps like Ola, Uber and Rapido.
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed this and said that the companies will have to follow the court’s decision. Reddy told PTI-Bhasha, “Three months ago the court had ruled that bike taxis are illegal. First the court had given six weeks and then on request gave another six weeks. Now that 12 weeks have passed, the companies will have to follow the High Court order.”
A division bench of the Karnataka High Court on Friday refused to stay an earlier order of a single judge suspending bike taxi services in the state.
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A division bench of Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice Srinivas Harish Kumar was hearing appeals filed by Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (which operates Ola) and Reopen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (which operates Rapido).
The companies had challenged the April 2 order directing them to stop bike taxi services within six weeks. The deadline was later extended to June 15. The single judge had said that such services cannot operate unless the state government notifies specific rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The division bench issued notice to the state government and other respondents and fixed the next hearing for June 24. Meanwhile, Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association, demanded strict implementation of the order. He said, ‘The government should seize the motorcycles running illegally and take legal action against the violators.’
Rapido in a statement cited the court’s decision and expressed concern for riders. It said, “Even though we are not the initiating party in the ongoing case, we are engaged as a responsible stakeholder. This is a challenging time for our drivers, many of whom depend on bike taxis as their primary source of income.”
Uber has also confirmed to suspend its bike taxi services from June 16. The company said, ‘This decision affects thousands of riders and drivers who rely on bike taxi service every day. We will continue to work closely with the Government of Karnataka to help develop a progressive policy that ensures safe, accessible and affordable mobility for all.’
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