Citing violations, the Delhi Transport Department has imposed a ban on the functioning of bike taxi services, where private bikes were being used for hiring rides.
App-based aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido have been banned from plying bike taxis on the road without commercial permits.
The government, which had earlier sought to impose a levy of INR 1,00,000 for the same, has sent a warning now that any violation will result in penal action.
The government said running bike taxis would be considered a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The 2019 Amendment to the Act again made it clear that aggregators cannot operate without a valid licence.
‘It has been brought to the notice that two-wheelers having non-transport (private) registration mark/numbers are being used to carry passengers on hire which is a purely commercial operation and a violation of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988,’ a transport department notice read.
‘Any violation of the decision will result in a first offence penalty of INR 5,000 under Section 192 of the Act; second or more offences will lead to fines of INR 10,000, impounding of the vehicle and even imprisonment. In addition, the driving license of the driver will be suspended for a minimum period of three years,’ the notice added.