New Delhi was thrown into turmoil today as the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling that bans bike-taxi services provided by popular ride-hailing companies Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The decision overturns a previous Delhi High Court order that allowed these aggregators to operate without licenses until the final policy was announced. The ruling comes as a major setback for the companies, which had been banking on continued operations in the city.
Bike Taxi Ban in Delhi
The Supreme Court’s vacation bench, comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal, has granted Ola, Uber, and Rapido the opportunity to seek an urgent hearing of their plea by the Delhi High Court. This temporary reprieve halts the implementation of the High Court’s May 26 order, which had barred the Delhi government from taking coercive measures against the bike-taxi aggregators until the final policy was unveiled.
The Delhi government has assured the apex court that it will formulate comprehensive guidelines and licensing policies for bike aggregators by the end of July. This move is aimed at regulating the operations of these companies and bringing them under a more structured framework. The government’s counsel has informed the bench that the final policy will be officially announced before the end of July, providing some hope for the beleaguered ride-hailing companies.
The Supreme Court’s decision follows the filing of two separate petitions by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, challenging the High Court’s order. The AAP government sought to contest the previous ruling, which had allowed the bike-taxi aggregators to function without aggregator licenses. The court had directed the central government to respond to these petitions, putting the matter under further scrutiny.
Bike taxis have gained popularity in Delhi as an affordable and efficient mode of transportation, especially for short distances. However, concerns over safety, regulation, and licensing have been raised, prompting the government to intervene. The Supreme Court’s ruling is seen as a significant step towards establishing a clear regulatory framework for bike-taxi services, ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers.
The ban on Ola, Uber, and Rapido’s bike-taxi services in Delhi will undoubtedly impact thousands of commuters who rely on these convenient transportation options. It remains to be seen how the companies will respond to the ruling and whether they can navigate the legal hurdles to resume operations in the city. In the meantime, Delhi residents will have to explore alternative modes of transportation until the final policy is unveiled later this year.
