The Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations has urged the Karnataka government to address a range of issues affecting the private transport sector, including bike taxis, app-based aggregators, the Shakti scheme and competition from State-run transport corporations.
In a memorandum submitted to the government on Tuesday (August 11), the federation sought a clear policy on bike taxis and strict action against unauthorised app-based transport services. It alleged that private operators and drivers were facing financial difficulties due to high commissions, arbitrary fare structures and increasing competition from app-based companies.
The federation also raised concerns over the impact of the Shakti scheme on private transport operators and sought an alternative mechanism to compensate or support the sector. It suggested measures such as reducing road taxes for contract and stage carriage vehicles.
It also called for a scientific, cost-based fare revision mechanism, with a permitted variation of 20% from government-fixed fares. The federation in a release stated it has given the government 15 days to respond to its demands, failing which it said it would decide on the next course of “democratic and legal action”.
