The state authorities had earlier confiscated Rapido’s bike taxis and imposed fines on its drivers although there may be as but no clear regulation on the operation of motorcycle taxis.
“Bike taxis have been a brand new idea; there was no current provision via which we might apply for a license. However in Could, the Karnataka Excessive Courtroom directed us to submit our software to the transport division,” stated Aravind Sanka, cofounder, Rapido.
The corporate is hopeful of getting a licence quickly, he stated.
A state authorities official, nonetheless, stated the excessive court docket has solely directed Rapido to file an software and its approval is just not assured.
“It isn’t obligatory. We’ve to decide on whether or not we must always permit it (bike taxis) or not. That could be a coverage choice…,” the individual stated.
The corporate hopes to rent 100 ladies drivers in Bengaluru by the top of 2022. It at present has about 20.
“With the current order by the Karnataka Excessive Courtroom, ambiguity relating to bike taxi legality is now set to resolve. candidates can confidently be a part of Rapido as a Captain to earn an earnings using their bikes as taxis, with none concern of implications and objections,” it stated in a press release on Tuesday.
Sanka stated Rapido is on a path to restoration after the second Covid-19 wave.
“By way of traction, it took solely 20 days for us to bounce again, whereas it took us six months to bounce again from the primary wave (of the pandemic),” he stated.
Amid the pandemic, Rapido introduced partnerships with Zomato, Swiggy and BigBasket, as individuals stayed at residence and rental bike start-ups acquired elevated enterprise from ecommerce firms, particularly meals and grocery supply companies.
The mobility sector clocked round 78 million rides in March, 69% of what it had recorded within the pre-Covid-19 months final 12 months, a current report by internet-focused consulting agency RedSeer Consulting confirmed.
Auto rickshaws confirmed the best restoration fee, at 25 million rides.
App-based bus aggregator Shuttl has been severely affected by the second wave and was compelled to put off some workers, its CEO tweeted final week.