Chikkamagaluru: Two-wheeler taxi services have recently entered Chikkamagaluru, and have attracted criticism almost instantly. Now, several bikes with white number plates are operating as taxis, triggering concerns and criticism over the growing trend.Auto drivers and owners staged protests demanding action against the growing number of unauthorised bike taxis. Even owners of the automobile shops supported autorickshaw drivers and condemned two-wheeler taxi service, citing safety concerns of the passengers.The operators also blamed the officials concerned for allowing two-wheelers to offer pick-and-drop service. Chikkamagaluru is a small town, not a metro. Auto drivers live on modest earnings. Now, with more bike taxis plying at lower fares, passengers are choosing them. Auto drivers are struggling to get hires, they stated.Jagadeesh Kote, secretary of auto drivers and owners’ association, said the problem of illegal bike taxis has increased, causing hardship to auto drivers. “We have invested lakhs to buy autorickshaws. Our families depend on this income. Even sending children to school has become difficult now,” said the association general secretary HC Raghavendra.Recently, bike taxis have been plying illegally in the city, they stated. Two-wheelers with white number plates are also being used for hire. This is causing huge losses to auto drivers, and many families are in distress, Kote added. We have submitted representations to officials and public representatives and held a peaceful protest. If the issue is not resolved, the agitation will be intensified in the coming days, he said.MLA HD Thammaiah assured that he would discuss the matter with officials and try to resolve it. Deputy commissioner Bhanwar Singh Meena was not available for comments.
