A week of Delhi ban on bike taxis; Ola, Uber, Rapido drivers fall back on jugaad to survive

On Monday, February 20, the Delhi Government’s Transport Department issued a surprise notice, effectively banning all bike taxi services (including ridesharing giants like Ola, Rapido, and Uber). 

ALSO READ: Delhi has banned Ola, Uber and Rapido bike taxis but drivers clueless

While Ola and Uber still have taxis and auto as moneymakers, Rapido’s entire branding was around fast bikes (although from personal experiences, Rapido bikes can be quite a time-consuming and cost-consuming hassle). Formally known as Rapido Bike Taxi, the company does provide autos too but it is motorcycle rides with which the ride aggregator was synonymous with.

Obviously, with the February 21 public notice, a lot of commercial bikeriders and regular customers were taken aback. The notice stated that this move was essential as two-wheelers with non-transport (private) registration and number plates violate the norms of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. If caught, the drivers can be fined over Rs 5,000 the first time and an additional Rs 10,000 later. 

A week has passed since then and the on-ground situation has hardly changed. All ridesharing apps are still showing bike rides as potential taxi options within Delhi. The only difference is that the riders have become more alert. 

That’s what Rapido driver Dibakar* told me on a ride from Delhi’s Hari Nagar Ashram to Noida’s Sector 49. The ride cost me over Rs 120 (for a ride that’s usually Rs 60 if I had taken an Uber or Ola bike, but both of those apps seemed to be busy at that moment). 

Over the 14-km journey, Dibakar added that he prefers rides to Noida as at least, a partiality of the ride can commence without him fearing the police. 

An interaction with Ahmed*, another Rapido driver, revealed another common strategy that many other bike divers are relying on after the public notice. “More than often, we keep our phone attached to the phone holder in our bikes. Obviously, it becomes easier to see Google Maps on that. But for now, I just ask my customers to tell me the route directly.”

Ahmed* has removed his phone holder only so that the police don't suspect him. Talking about tips for customers in this changed bike regime, even Uber driver Anuj* has a plea. 

Given how wearing helmets is mandatory, all bike drivers carry an extra helmet for the pillion rider. Unlucky are those whose extra helmet carries a Rapido or Uber logo, making them easy bait to be caught by police personnel. While Anurag* also had a helmet to offer (thankfully one without any company symbols), he wishes that all customers bring their own helmets so that there is no hint of suspicion. 

Anuj* also jokingly suggests that having your own helmet is obviously a healthier choice for the customer’s hair!

While the Transport Department has not made more announcements as of late and even the ride-sharing apps have issued no formal statements, the drivers continue finding out ways to dodge the authorities. Ola driver Arvind* said that he heard somewhere the company would compensate drivers if they are fined in Delhi but he highly doubts if that will actually happen. 

Will the companies take accountability? Or will they try to restructure their armada of bikes and get them all registered “yellow number plates”? Or will the Delhi Government itself roll back its decision? These are questions that remain to be answered. 

(*Due to personal requests, names have been changed to protect identities.)

ALSO READ: I ditched Uber and Ola for a cab ride on inDriver app. This is what I found