Hyderabad is seeing a rise in app-based bike taxi delivery services from companies like Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Porter. These services, while popular, are technically illegal under the Motor Vehicle Act. Despite this, these companies continue operations in the city.
These aggregators offer a new delivery method where customers request the pickup and drop-off of essential items. However, there is a lack of accountability and traceability in these services, creating hidden risks.
According to the Road Transport Authority (RTA), vehicles with yellow number plates are meant for commercial activities like rentals. White plate vehicles should only be for personal use. Using personal vehicles for business can cause significant financial losses for the government and legitimate commercial vehicle owners. Panduranga, a retired RTA officer, notes that using white plate vehicles for commercial purposes is illegal and leads to losses for the government.
Some companies have linked their two-wheelers for commercial use with the RTA as per government guidelines, but many still ignore these norms. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) is worried about these ongoing illegal operations.
Shaik Salauddin, the national general secretary of TGPWU, highlights that these services lack proper verification and insurance, putting both passengers and drivers at risk. This situation also results in lost revenue for the state due to uncollected commercial registration fees, taxes, and permits.
Users have reported issues with these bike-taxi services. Many complain about lost deliveries, with parcels not reaching their destinations. Social media is filled with grievances about undelivered items.
Harshada Kethura, a regular Rapido user, shared her experience of sending a gift that never arrived. She explained that the delivery person couldn’t find the location and canceled the delivery after several attempts, leaving her unable to recover her parcel. Despite these issues, many customers continue to use these services.
