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Pune RTO lodges FIR against illegal bike taxi firm
The Pune regional transport office (RTO) has lodged an FIR against Rapido bike taxi, an illegal bike taxi company, at Bundgarden police station even as auto-rickshaw unions have called for a one-day strike against bike taxis on November 28
The Pune regional transport office (RTO) has lodged an FIR against Rapido bike taxi, an illegal bike taxi company, at Bundgarden police station even as auto-rickshaw unions have called for a one-day strike against bike taxis on November 28.
As per information shared by the RTO Pune, no private app-based company is legally permitted to operate bike taxis in the state currently. Despite several warnings however, illegal bike taxis have been found running on the city streets. Hence, an FIR was lodged at Bundgarden police station against Jagdish Patil and several other persons of the Rapido company by the complainant, RTO inspector Anant Ramraje Bhosale, 38, under section 418 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC); sections 66, 93, 192 (A), 146, 193 and 197 of the Motor Vehicles Act; and section 66 (D) of the IT Act.
The FIR states, “The Rapido company is running its bike taxi services in Maharashtra without any permissions or valid license from the state government. Whereas the company is providing this service to the public through a mobile application.”
Ajit Shinde, regional transport officer, Pune, said, “We have lodged an FIR against the Rapido company as there are no permissions given by the state transport department to bike taxis and we will continue our drive against these illegal bike taxis in future as well.”
While auto-rickshaw unions have taken a more aggressive stance against these bike taxis, with the ‘Baghtoy Rickshawala Association’ calling for a one-day strike against them on November 28.
Meanwhile, the public seems to be in favour of these bike taxis as they are cheaper than autos. Sangram Kangale, a banker, said, “Many times, I have to travel alone and for that, I use this bike taxi service which is much cheaper than auto-rickshaws. The state government should give permission to this service as it is beneficial for the common public, especially people travelling alone in the city.”
The state transport department is working on legalising bike taxis and steps are being taken to make necessary changes in regulations and give permits to them. But till such time the service is legalised, the RTO will continue to take action against bike taxis. Auto-rickshaw unions are opposed to legalising these bike taxis as they are eating into their business.
