Bengaluru, the startup hub of India, has recently witnessed a significant regulatory change as the Karnataka government has declared carpooling services illegal within the city.
The decision comes in the wake of numerous complaints received from local taxi driver associations, leading to a comprehensive ban on all carpooling apps operating in the region.
The reason behind the ban
Carpooling services, facilitated by apps like BlaBla Car, Quickride, Rideshare, Commute Easy, and Carpool Adda, have been a popular commuting option for the city’s residents, especially IT employees, looking to share rides for a nominal fee.
Initially, Carpooling services were perceived as a solution to the city’s escalating traffic woes, aiming to reduce the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours.
However, the taxi associations argue that carpooling services have been infringing upon their daily earnings and have fervently demanded governmental intervention.
This led to a citywide bandh organized by taxi associations and the autorickshaw drivers’ union, culminating in a list of demands being submitted to Karnataka transport minister Ramalinga Reddy. One of the prominent demands was the prohibition of bike taxis, a matter which the minister has agreed to consider, pending legal review.
The transport department said that utilizing private vehicles with white registration plates for commercial purposes is deemed illegal. Violators of this regulation are subject to stringent penalties, including a six-month suspension of the vehicle’s registration certificate and fines ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000.
The official stance is that carpooling apps violate the law by enabling private cars, which are not licensed for commercial use, to operate as taxis.
How does it impact the city’s operation?
The ban on carpooling is significant in a city like Bengaluru, which holds the dubious distinction of having the highest traffic density among major cities in India. With a population of 11 million, the city has approximately 12.5 million vehicles, translating to more than one vehicle per person.
The netizens were not happy with the decision, considering the significant traffic congestion experienced by residents of Bengaluru. The recent traffic gridlock has left many commuters on roads for hours on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road, which houses many IT parks and global investments.
What is carpooling?
Carpooling, in simple terms, is the practice where people share a car ride with others travelling in the same direction. This means multiple individuals use one vehicle to get to their destinations. Carpooling helps in reducing traffic congestion, saving fuel, and lowers transportation costs for individuals.
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