Sirsi, June 25: Expressing strong opposition to the operation of illegal bike taxi services, the Uttar Kannada District and Sirsi Taluk Auto Drivers and Owners Associations have submitted a joint memorandum to the Police Department demanding an immediate ban on Rapido app services involving private white-board two-wheelers across the region.

According to the association leaders, transporting passengers commercially on private two-wheelers holding white registration plates is strictly prohibited under the Motor Vehicles Act. The union noted that the matter was recently brought to the attention of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials, who explicitly confirmed that no official permission or permit has been granted to Rapido or any other bike aggregator to operate commercial services in Sirsi.

The auto union highlighted that the emergence of unregulated bike taxis is severely impacting the livelihood of thousands of auto-rickshaw drivers who operate legally by complying with government regulations, fitness certifications, and commercial permits. Furthermore, the union raised serious apprehensions regarding commuter safety. Given that Sirsi and its surrounding limits comprise hilly terrains and dense forest stretches, the association emphasized that unchecked bike services pose a major security risk, particularly for female passengers.

Demanding stringent criminal action and the impounding of vehicles operating illegally under the ride-hailing platform, representatives of the Uttar Kannada District Auto Drivers and Owners Welfare Association and Sirsi Auto Union met Sirsi Circle Inspector of Police (CPI) Sampath Kumar and handed over the official petition. The CPI received the memorandum and assured them of reviewing the issue under the ambit of the law.

To ensure multi-departmental coordination, copies of the memorandum have been dispatched via post to the District Commissioner (DC), Superintendent of Police (SP), Sirsi Assistant Commissioner (AC), as well as the Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) of Karwar, Sirsi, Honnavar, and Dandeli. District Auto Association President Vishwanath Gowda, along with Sirsi union leaders Mahesh Patagar, Hafeez, Bhaskar Kundaragi, Ashok Shetty, Arun, and several others were present.

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