Commuting around places that we visit as tourists or even across our own cities and towns was never easier before the entry of private cab or taxi services like Ola, Uber, Rapido, and what have you. But in what could be considered nothing but unfortunate, any amenities that make the lives of majority of the masses easier in this country, mostly find it difficult to survive. Something similar happened to these bike taxi services in the state of Karnataka, and considering the recent statement of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, such a facility would never see the light of day in Goa as well.
In its recent judgement, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court directed that the bike taxi operations in the state should be suspended. Three months ago, the court had ruled that bike taxis were illegal. It was noted that such services could not operate until the state government notified specific rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act. This was when it was made clear by the Karnataka government that it was in no mood to frame such regulations.
After the court’s directive, companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido removed the bike taxi options from their apps officially.
On the other hand, not too far away from Karnataka, in Goa, the state’s chief minister stated, ‘Ola and Uber will not come here.’
In the wake of such steps taken by governments, going beyond rules and regulations, what we should focus on is the implications such directives and decisions have. What good could ever come out of such a ban or a ‘no-entry’ policy for the people of these states? Bike taxis or cabs are not only a wonderful facility for commuters, but above that, there are innumerable individuals in this country whose primary source of income is riding bike taxis or driving cabs.
With the bike taxi ban in Karnataka, who is going to ensure a regular source of income for those riders who have been forced to sit idle now? And at the same time, in a state like Goa, which is a popular tourist destination for Indians and foreigners alike, would the entry of private cab services have not generated employment for multiple people?
Apart from this, cab services are literally a boon for commuters and tourists alike, no matter whether in your own city or even if you are at a new place, there is no hassle when it comes to reaching a place from another because a cab is just minutes away, or rather, just a few clicks away. In most places, the auto-drivers ask for unreasonably high prices, especially when they get to know you are an ‘outsider’, and have no idea about the actual fares that would make sense. Not only are tourists harassed but in some places, even locals have to haggle with these drivers, to reach a place in their own city!
Why should commuters and tourists face such harassment, waste their time arguing over fares, or pay outrageously exorbitant prices, when they could easily enjoy the comforts of a safe cab or a time-saving bike taxi, that too without burning a senseless hole in their pockets?
Bike taxis and cabs should be the last thing to be considered ‘illegal’ just because some government does not want to set a few guidelines or wants to bend over backwards for taxi-mafia Esque operations. Such amenities are not a luxury, these are a necessity which nobody should stay deprived of, as they make lives easier and hence, they are nothing less than a basic right.
It is high time that governments across this country start waking up and realise that it is nothing but preposterous to literally evolve backwards, steering clear of a much-needed innovation and use of technology, which makes the lives of hundreds of people easier, each day, every hour. Such decisions should be vehemently opposed so that precedents that should never be followed are not set for others to follow suit. It is of utmost necessity to let people enjoy something that is good, even beneficial, amidst the otherwise and already challenging daily life circumstances in this country.
