Since the Karnataka bike taxi ban kicked in on June 16, things haven’t been easy for Bengaluru’s daily commuters. With bike taxis pulled off the roads, regular folks are now paying up to 25% more for their daily auto rides.
The crackdown came after a Karnataka High Court order asked bike taxi aggregators to stop operations until proper rules are framed. No rules? No rides.
And while the intention might have been to bring order, the outcome has been chaos—for the commuter.
Why Are Auto Fares Rising?
According to Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan, fares for app-based autos have surged since the Karnataka bike taxi ban. In a letter to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Mohan said ride-hailing platforms are ignoring the fare cap set by the Karnataka High Court.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what the court actually said:
- The minimum fare should be ₹30.
- Add 5% service charge.
- Add 5% GST.
- That brings the total to ₹35.
Simple, right? But reality looks different.
Mohan claims that apps are charging all sorts of extra fees—surge pricing, pickup charges, even asking for tips—taking fares far above the legal cap.
“Enforcing regulations is a core government duty,” Mohan stated. “The transport department must act.”
A Flashback: How We Got Here
Back in October 2022, complaints flooded in about aggregators charging ₹100 or more as minimum fares for auto rides. That led to a government crackdown. Notices were sent. Aggregators were told to apply for separate licenses.
Naturally, the platforms fought back in court. And in May 2024, the Karnataka High Court upheld the ₹35 cap.
But it seems nobody is following the rulebook now.
What’s at Stake?
With bike taxis off the road, many commuters have lost their cheapest option. Autos were supposed to fill that gap. But now, ride-hailing autos have become just as pricey, if not more.
This hits the working class the hardest—those who depend on daily rides but don’t own a vehicle.
And that’s why Mohan is pushing for strong enforcement.
What’s Next?
The MP has demanded that aggregators be served notices again, and the fare cap be strictly enforced. Whether the Transport Department listens or not remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: in post-bike-taxi Bengaluru, the cost of moving around has never felt heavier.
Also Read Bengaluru Chokes After Bike Taxi Ban: Longer Commutes, Costlier Rides, Angry Gig Workers
