1. Karnataka government scraps Electric Bike Taxi Scheme citing safety concerns and misuse
Following objections by autorickshaw unions, the Karnataka government has revoked the Electric Bike Taxi Scheme introduced in 2021. Through a notification on March 6, the Transport Department highlights possible misuse of the scheme, and asserts that authorities have become aware of violations, specifically the utilisation of non-transport bikes (with white boards) as bike taxis..
The scheme was initiated in July 2021 by the then BJP-led State Government, with the aim of enhancing first and last-mile connectivity. According to the report from a committee led by the Managing Director of BMRCL, the bike taxi scheme had fallen short of achieving its intended outcomes while also posing a threat to women’s safety, raising concerns about law and order.
