The Delhi government has announced a ban on bike hacks with immediate effect. The decision will affect hack aggregators similar to Ola, Uber, and Rapido, which are popular in the megacity. In a notice, the Delhi transport department says that two- wheelers havingnon-transport (private) enrollment marks figures are being used to carry passengers. The government notice indicates that using particular vehicles as marketable hacks violates Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
The move will also affect numerous guests that calculate on two- wheelers via Ola, Uber, and Rapido amid surging fares of taxicabs. numerous also prefer this affordable mode of transport since bikes are more mobile in Delhi’s business. This is not the first time motorbike hacks have got into trouble over their legal status. In January, the Maharashtra state government refused to grant licenses to Rapido’s motorbike hacks, saying that there were no legal guidelines on licensing of bike hacks, their safety and chow structure. The Bombay high court also asked the company to shut operations as it did not have a valid licence. Rapido also approached the Supreme Court, which directed it back to the high court.
Some gig workers have also protested against these hacks. In December, a gig workers’ union in Telangana state wrote to the government, asking them to act against private vehicles being operated as bike hacks. According to a report published last time by Allied Market Research, India’s motorbike hack request was valued at $50.5 mn, and was anticipated to reach around$1.5 bn by 2030. ” Still, legal issues associated with bike hacks and resistance from original public transport drivers restrains the request growth,” the report advised. The state government directed app- grounded bike hack companies to stop their services incontinently to avoid execution and penalties. This is yet another blow for companies operating in the bike hack space, following a recent Bombay High Court order dismissing Rapido’s plea against the Maharashtra government’s decision to not issue licenses for bike hack drivers.