With Ola & Uber Out, Rapido Introduces ‘Bike Direct’ in Karnataka

Days after bike taxi services resumed in Karnataka, Rapido has rolled out a new feature called 'Bike Direct' to continue operations, even as Uber and Ola have withdrawn their bike taxi options following a Karnataka High Court clarification.

A check on the Rapido app by The Hindu revealed that the company introduced 'Bike Direct', described as a "non-profit initiative by Rapido aimed at supporting captains whose livelihoods were severely impacted by recent operational restrictions." In contrast, Uber and Ola have removed the bike taxi feature from their apps.

Rapido Calls 'Bike Direct' a Livelihood Support

When contacted, a Rapido spokesperson said the High Court's order had permitted individual bike taxi owners to operate independently, but many struggled to secure bookings without a dedicated platform.

"In response to their request, Rapido has stepped forward to provide them access to our technology purely as a livelihood support measure under the name 'Bike Direct'," the spokesperson said.

The company further clarified: "Bike Direct is not a commercial service and does not signify Rapido's return to operating bike taxis. It is solely a humanitarian effort to empower captains with the tools they need to earn an income."

Uber and Ola Pull Back

While Rapido has continued with Bike Direct, both Uber and Ola have pulled back bike taxi services from their apps in Karnataka. Neither company was available for comment on the development.

Karnataka High Court's Clarification

On Friday, the Karnataka High Court clarified to Advocate-General Shashi Kiran Shetty that its order on August 20 only asked authorities not to take action against individual bike taxi drivers, but it had not permitted aggregators like Uber, Ola, and Rapido to relaunch services.

The clarification was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi after the Advocate-General complained that bike taxi aggregators had misinterpreted the court's order.

What Lies Ahead for Bike Taxis in Karnataka?

The latest move highlights the uncertain future of bike taxi aggregators in Karnataka, as companies await regulatory clarity while drivers continue to struggle for sustainable income. Rapido's 'Bike Direct' initiative, positioned as a non-profit support system, is being closely watched by both regulators and industry players.