Bike Taxi Association Welcomes Gadkari's Call To Allow Private Two-Wheelers
BTA says allowing private two-wheeler owners to operate bike taxis could create major livelihood opportunities across India.
The Bike Taxi Association (BTA) has welcomed Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari's appeal to state governments to permit private two-wheeler owners to operate bike taxis across the country.
The association said Gadkari's call could provide a major boost to livelihood opportunities, particularly for India's youth and people in semi-urban and rural areas where formal employment opportunities remain limited.
The BTA said it has been advocating a uniform and livelihood-focused approach to the regulation of bike taxis and described the minister's remarks as a timely push towards a nationwide framework.
Gadkari has highlighted the potential for 8 crore people to earn a livelihood through two-wheelers, which the association said could translate into a significant employment-generation opportunity for two-wheeler owners across the country.
Amit Gawde, president of the Bike Taxi Association, said the minister's statement validated the association's long-standing position that bike taxis could serve as an important source of livelihood.
“Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Gadkari's appeal is a validation of what we have been saying for years: bike taxis are not a disruption; they are a livelihood lifeline,” Gawde said.
He urged state governments to act swiftly, saying delays in allowing bike taxi operations could result in lost earning opportunities for people dependent on two-wheelers.
The BTA also reiterated its commitment to working with state transport departments to ensure that bike taxi services are implemented in a safe, regulated and inclusive manner across India.
The association said a uniform regulatory framework could help expand mobility options while creating additional livelihood opportunities for two-wheeler owners.
