The Transport department is planning to regulate two-wheeler rentals in the city by coming out with guidelines to help tourists take out motorcycles on rent legally while helping the government earn revenue.
The government has been toying with the idea for sometime in the wake of the boom in renting of bikes in Puducherry. There have been demands from various quarters to regulate the functioning of the two-wheeler rental outlets to ensure that the cash-starved government earned revenue through levy of taxes.
Sources said there had been a steady increase in the number of such two-wheeler rental outlets in the Boulevard region over the last few years with some operators having over 100 vehicles for hire. While there were more than 25 registered two-wheeler rentals, guest houses and home stays in the White Town have also been giving bikes on hire to their guests.
In 2012, the Transport department issued an order banning renting of two-wheelers to promote autorickshaws. However, with tourists preferring rental bikes over autorickshaws for various reasons, the department is planning to issue licences to outlets and regulate their functioning.
According to a senior official, “Tourists who visit Puducherry during the weekends prefer rental bikes to explore the city on their own. The bikes are economical with the average cost of hiring a vehicle ranging from ₹300 to ₹500 a day.”
Taxi scheme
The department studied the models being implemented in various States such as Goa and Delhi. “At present, we are exploring the possibility of introducing yellow number plates for rental bikes to differentiate them from personal vehicles. The department is looking at the two-wheeler taxi scheme being implemented in Goa. We have taken up this proposal with the government and it is under consideration,” he said.
The department will come out with guidelines for operation of the scheme after examining the provisions in the Motor Vehicle Act.
Norms for licence
Those involved in two-wheeler rentals should fulfil the Motor Vehicle Act norms, have trade licence, must maintain not less than five motorcycles and facilities for parking, maintenance and repair of vehicles to be part of the scheme.
The vehicles should be equipped with ISI-marked helmets for driver and pillion rider.
The registered outlets can subsequently introduce other component such as GPS to track the vehicles. People can form a society and pool resources to operate vehicles without any legal formalities. Loan assistance for such venture is available under the MUDRA scheme, an official said.