Karnataka Govt Bans Carpooling Services In Bengaluru, Asks Ola And Uber For Immediate Compliance

The Karnataka government’s Transport Department has issued a ban on carpooling services in Bengaluru and has asked major app-based cab hailing services Uber and Ola to comply with the same with immediate effect, reports Deccan Herald.

The announcement was made following a meeting between representatives of taxi drivers’ associations and government officials. Transport Commissioner V P Ikkeri warned of action against companies which did not abide by the prohibition on carpooling.

"Ola and Uber have to follow the licence rules and any additional feature should be introduced only after getting the backing of the law," he stated.

The official however asserted that the state government was not against the idea of carpooling, but wanted the law regarding the same to be first changed.

Sections of cab drivers have been receptive of the decision as they say that taxi aggregators often don’t pay them enough for ridesharing services.

The move may not be as popular among commuters, for many of whom the cheapest and most convenient way of transport is carpooling, in a city that is known to have one of the worst traffic situations in the country.