BENGALURU: The licenses of both Ola and Uber to operate app-based cabs in the city have expired, said Karnataka transport department.
L Hemanth Kumar, additional commissioner for transport and State Transport Authority, said they had issued licences to both Ola and Uber under the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules-2016. “While Ola’s licence expired on June 19, 2021, they have not yet renewed it. Uber’s licence expired on December 29 and their application for renewal is being scrutinised,” he said.
“The law department’s opinion has been sought on the nature of action to be initiated against Ola for running cabs without licence,” he added.
Both Ola and Uber received their licence from the department to operate taxis in the city from 2016 to 2021.
In July, the transport department conducted raids at offices of both Ola and Uber. Following this, the transport department threatened to intensify its crackdown against Ola as it has failed to renew its licence.
However, Ola claimed that they delayed their licence renewal as the Centre had extended the validity of all vehicle documents and permits citing the pandemic situation and restrictions. However, the Centre refused to extend the deadline of documents and permits beyond October 31, 2021.
It may be recalled that the State Transport Authority had issued a notice in March 2019 to ANI Technologies, which operates Ola, suspending its licence for six months for running bike taxis in the city. However, it was revoked after two days after Ola paid a penalty.
L Hemanth Kumar, additional commissioner for transport and State Transport Authority, said they had issued licences to both Ola and Uber under the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules-2016. “While Ola’s licence expired on June 19, 2021, they have not yet renewed it. Uber’s licence expired on December 29 and their application for renewal is being scrutinised,” he said.
“The law department’s opinion has been sought on the nature of action to be initiated against Ola for running cabs without licence,” he added.
Both Ola and Uber received their licence from the department to operate taxis in the city from 2016 to 2021.
In July, the transport department conducted raids at offices of both Ola and Uber. Following this, the transport department threatened to intensify its crackdown against Ola as it has failed to renew its licence.
However, Ola claimed that they delayed their licence renewal as the Centre had extended the validity of all vehicle documents and permits citing the pandemic situation and restrictions. However, the Centre refused to extend the deadline of documents and permits beyond October 31, 2021.
It may be recalled that the State Transport Authority had issued a notice in March 2019 to ANI Technologies, which operates Ola, suspending its licence for six months for running bike taxis in the city. However, it was revoked after two days after Ola paid a penalty.
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