Rapido on Saturday acknowledged the Karnataka High Court directive suspending bike taxi operations from June 16, after the court on Friday refused to stay an earlier order directing cessation of such services in the state. The bike taxi aggregator has extended its support for the riders.
Ola and Uber, who also operate similar services in the state, had sought relief from the suspension. However, the division bench refused interim relief, noting the state government’s lack of interest in framing a bike taxi policy. Rapido has argued that the move threatens livelihoods of over 600,000 people across Karnataka who earn an income as bike taxi riders.
“This is a challenging moment for our captains—many of whom rely on bike taxis as their primary source of income. They have been instrumental in delivering affordable, last-mile mobility to millions of commuters across Karnataka,” Rapido said in an official statement.
The company emphasised its commitment to working collaboratively with the transport department and Karnataka government to shape a “compliant, sustainable, and future-ready” regulatory framework while protecting gig workers’ interests and ensuring commuter safety.
“We remain hopeful that our continued engagement with the government will pave the way for a viable framework for bike taxis and the millions of gig workers who depend on them,” the platform stated, citing successful models in other states and union territories.