First FIR registered against Rapido for unauthorised bike taxi operations

Pune: Vishrantwadi policeon Friday night registered the first FIR against Roppen Transport Services Private Limited, which operates Rapido, for allegedly running bike taxi services using petrol-powered, non-transport two-wheelers without mandatory permissions.The action followed a complaint by Pune RTO inspector Prasad Survase after Rapido allegedly failed to comply with a directive issued by Pune collector and Regional Transport Authority (RTA) chief Jitendra Dudi to halt bike taxi operations within 24 hours. “The collector had directed the aggregator to stop the service by Friday. Operations, however, continued, prompting us to lodge the FIR,” an RTO official told TOI.Autorickshaw unions said the action was inadequate. “Police should conduct an in-depth inquiry into the role of the city head and other officials overseeing Rapido’s operations in Pune,” Keshav Kshirsagar, president of Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha and Baghtoy Rickshawaala union, said.In the FIR, police invoked provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Motor Vehicles Act and Information Technology Act, relating to cheating, operating transport services without valid licences and permits, and use of personal vehicles for commercial passenger transport. An officer said, “Our team will soon visit the firm’s office in Yerawada and seize the hardware and other equipment used to operate the bike taxi service.”According to the complaint, a ride booked through the Rapido app on Oct 16 from Yerawada to Kothrud was serviced by a petrol-powered motorcycle. The rider was questioned, the vehicle seized and a challan issued under the Motor Vehicles Act. The complaint also cited earlier legal proceedings, including the RTO’s move to halt bike taxi services in Dec 2022 and Bombay high court’s dismissal of Rapido’s challenge in Jan 2023.Regional transport officer Archana Gaikwad had earlier said Rapido and Uber had applied to operate bike taxis under Maharashtra’s policy, which permitted only electric two-wheelers and required regulatory approvals. Those applications are still pending. During a recent RTA meeting, firm representatives reportedly said the Pune operations were being conducted on a trial basis.Rapido was sent a copy of the FIR and asked why the bike taxi option remained active on its app despite the stop order. Its response was awaited till going to press.(With inputs from Gitesh Shelke)