BS Yediyurappa bats for electric bike taxis in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: To improve last mile connectivity, chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday proposed introducing electric bike taxis.
Currently, bike taxis don’t enjoy legal status in the city, though some firms have been offering rides since 2016. The restrictions on petrol and diesel two-wheeler taxis will remain in place, but the budget presented on Thursday said there was a case for electric bike taxis.
“We have proposed to allow only environment-friendly two-wheelers for the bike taxi project,” said a senior transport department official. The minimum fare is likely to be Rs 10 and the average fare could be fixed at Rs 5 per km.
Last year, the transport department had stopped Ola’s bike taxi service. In 2016, it suspended uberMOTO. With the state government’s nod, these companies could launch electric bike taxis. App-based rental firms like Bounce and Yulu already offer e-scooters.
“Bike taxis are an effective mode to resolve first- and last-mile connectivity issues and generate employment opportunities,” said a senior transport department official.
At least 10 states have allowed bike taxis. But bus operator BMTC and autorickshaw and taxi unions in Bengaluru have been opposing them, while police have raised safety concerns.
Meanwhile, the budget has also offered Rs 25,000 each to 1,000 young men to buy bikes through D Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation. This will help them join e-commerce companies and deliver products.