- Uber and Rapido have been directed to stop unauthorised bike taxi bookings using private motorcycles.
- The companies have been asked to prevent such bookings within Odisha and submit compliance reports.
- Uber car and auto-rickshaw services, along with Rapido’s other permitted services, are not covered by the restriction.
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police Crime Branch has directed ride-hailing platforms Uber and Rapido to discontinue bike taxi services operating through privately registered two-wheelers that lack authorisation for commercial passenger transport.
The directive gives both companies 15 days from the receipt of the notice to disable the unauthorised bike taxi booking facility within Odisha. They have also been asked to submit compliance reports to the Crime Branch and the State Transport Authority (STA).
The action follows concerns over the commercial use of private motorcycles and scooters, commonly identified by white registration plates, to carry passengers through app-based platforms.
Crime Branch Cites Transport Regulations
According to reports, the Crime Branch issued a letter dated November 10, 2026, to the Transport Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the State Transport Authority.
The matter was examined following special enforcement reports submitted by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar-I and Bhubaneswar-II.
The reports flagged the alleged use of non-transport two-wheelers for commercial passenger services through aggregator applications.
The Crime Branch stated that such operations violate provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Odisha On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Guidelines, 2023.
Uber and Rapido Asked to Disable Bike Bookings
The Crime Branch has issued notices to the nodal officers of Uber India Systems Private Limited and Rapido, operated by Roppen Transportation Services.
Both platforms have been instructed to disable the unauthorised two-wheeler passenger transport facility within Odisha. They have also been asked to introduce suitable technological measures, including geo-fencing, to prevent such bookings within the state’s boundaries.
Failure to comply within the stipulated period may invite legal or regulatory action, the authorities have warned.
Car and Auto Services to Continue
The direction is specifically aimed at bike taxi operations involving privately registered two-wheelers that do not have the required authorisation for commercial passenger transport.
It does not impose a blanket suspension of Uber and Rapido services in Odisha. Their car and auto-rickshaw services will continue to operate as usual.
The restriction is intended to ensure that commercial passenger transport follows the applicable registration, permit and regulatory requirements.
What It Means for Commuters and Drivers
The directive could affect commuters who regularly use app-based bike taxis, particularly in urban areas such as Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, where two-wheeler rides are often used for short-distance travel.
Drivers who depend on these services for their livelihood may also face changes if their privately registered vehicles are not authorised for commercial passenger operations.
The next 15 days will be important for understanding how Uber and Rapido implement the directions and whether they make any changes to their bike taxi operations in Odisha.
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