Drivers’ union urges central govt to file special leave petition against HC judgment on unauthorised bike taxis

Hubballi: Indian Vehicles Driver Trade Union and Towner Driver Foundation urged the Central Govt to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s judgment in favour of unauthorised bike taxis.Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Snehajeevi Chalakara Sangh state president Santosh Kumar said there was no clear and direct permission for “bike taxis” in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The union said the use of 2-wheelers without safety features for commercial passenger transport posed a serious threat to public safety. Even looking at accident statistics, it was clear that the chances of accidents occurring on bikes were high.

The Supreme Court clarified in several judgments that obtaining a licence was not a fundamental right, and the Union said the state govt had full power to regulate the transport system in the public interest. It said there was a fear that giving permission to unauthorised bike taxis would not only endanger public safety, but would also increase the number of road accidents. It said the livelihood of auto-taxi drivers, who obtained licences and paid taxes as per the rules, would also be hit hard. As a result, the organisations warned that the families of more than 25 lakh drivers in the state are likely to face financial hardship.They demanded the Central Govt to immediately intervene in the issue of unauthorised bike taxis.