Ban on Bike Apps in Indian Capital Threatens Livelihoods of Thousands

The ban on bike apps is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of people in New Delhi, India. Many residents rely on services provided by app-based aggregators like Uber, Ola, and Rapido to commute on a daily basis. However, the Delhi Transport Department announced in February that using two-wheelers with private registration for commercial activities was prohibited and also imposed heavy fines on the aggregators that violate the rule. Riders affiliated with these platforms stand to lose their jobs due to the enforcement of the law. While Uber and Rapido challenged this ban in the Delhi high court, the top court overturned the ruling last week, setting aside the high court directive and validating the Delhi transport department’s ban on bike taxis. The authorities have warned that if aggregators are found to violate the order, they will begin impounding the bike taxis. The proposed policy for granting licenses to taxi aggregators is scheduled to come into effect at the end of July. Meanwhile, thousands of riders in the city are worried about losing their jobs since traffic police have been instructed to enforce the law.