Bengaluru: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Opposes Carpooling Ban in City – News18

The Bengaluru Government recently banned carpooling, an activity where private registration vehicles use their cars for commercial purposes through mobile applications such as Bla Bla Car and Quick Ride. While launching the sharp attack on the transport department in the city, BJP MP Tejaswi Surya opposed the ban, and asked the government to reconsider the decision.

Surya even wrote a letter to Karnataka CM, informing him about the benefits of carpooling. Apart from Surya, internet users also slammed the carpooling ban, suggesting the transport authorities to lift it as soon as possible otherwise it will encourage congestion in traffic on roads, which will make the city’s traffic condition even worse.

Reason Behind banning carpooling in Bengaluru?

It has been reported that the decision comes after receiving multiple complaints from local taxi drivers, whose livelihoods were affected due to the activity. While raising the concern over the matter, cab drivers informed that some mobile applications such as Bla Bla Car, Zoom, Carshare, and others, allow non-commercial vehicles with private registration numbers to use them for commercial purposes killing their business. They called the carpooling a completely wrong activity, even on legal terms.

Penalties for Carpooling in Bengaluru

As per the details shared by the transport authority, anyone caught violating the new rule, will be fined a minium of Rs 10,000, cancelation of registration certificate for six months, or both.

Similar Steps Taken By Mumbai Government

Bengaluru is not the only city that has banned carpooling in the city. A similar step also has been taken by the Mumbai government this year, where it asked the public to stop using private vehicles as commercial ones. The government also banned private bike-sharing activity through mobile applications.