UP to launch 700 app-based bike taxis

The Yogi Adityanth government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to launch 700 app-based 'motorbike taxis' as a mode of public transport to solve traffic problems in the state capital Lucknow.

The state government has entered into an agreement with app-based cab services Ola and Uber to launch the motorcycle taxis before the two-day Investors' Summit in Lucknow.

Lucknow is undergoing massive construction activity on thoroughfares in order to complete the Lucknow Metro Project, which has resulted in frequent traffic jams in the City of Nawabs.

The 'motorcycle taxis' were to be launched last month but there was delay due to conversion of motorbikes from petrol-based to CNG-based. Now the regional transport department has given six months to the two taxi companies for CNG conversion.

The two cab aggregators have been given road tax benefits. Instead of five years, the transport department has decided to charge road tax for one year only on the sanctioned permit.

The state government has also fixed rates for the new mode of transport. The companies will be charging Rs 8.10 for the first km and Rs 8.20 for every km travelled after that.

The mobike taxi drivers will carry one passenger at a time and will provide helmets as per the state transport rules. The service would be made available on all routes in Lucknow.

State Transport Minister Swatantra Dev Singh said the bike taxis, if successful, may be extended to tourist places and other cities.