Bangalore auto-rickshaw drivers intend to strike on December 29 in protest of the government’s decision to allow e-bike taxis.

They also want to prohibit the use of personal two-wheelers (with whiteboard number plates) as bike taxis. The transportation department gave licences to two businesses earlier this month — Bounce and Blu Smart —for the operation of electric bike taxis under the Electric Bike Taxi Scheme, which went into effect in 2021. The goal is to provide additional alternatives for first- and last-mile connection to the public .
It is debatable if other two-wheelers should be used as bike taxis. While regulations prohibit the use of personal automobiles as bike taxis, the high court has barred the government from pursuing coercive action against bike taxi companies such as Rapido.
C Sampath, general secretary of the Adarsh Auto Drivers’ Union, stated that the strike call will be issued primarily on Wednesday following a meeting of the auto driver unions. He urged the government not to aggravate an already troubled industry.

Bengaluru has 1.45 lakh legal auto-rickshaws and additional 25,000 unauthorised ones, according to Sampath. He said that removing the permit system will alleviate several difficulties linked with auto-rickshaw riding in the city.

Aside from the issue of bike taxis, the unions want the government to reduce permission procedures and criteria.

Permanent inhabitants of the city with a valid commercial licence are eligible for the permits. The transport department stated in 2018-19 that they will issue 30,000 additional vehicle licences in Bengaluru by 2023. However, the department has only issued around half of it thus far.