<p>Two-wheeler owners attached to the Rapido taxi service protested near the Koramangala RTO office in HSR Layout accusing officials of charging a fine of Rs 10,500.</p>.<p>The protest comes a day after Road Transport Office (RTO) officials seized more than 150 bikes saying the use of white-board vehicles for commercial purposes violates the Motor Vehicles Act.</p>.<p>Rapido, an app-based aggregator, is providing a bike taxi service. The two-wheelers are not owned by the company. Individual owners register with Rapido to get ride bookings for which the company takes a commission.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/rto-officials-seize-300-bike-taxis-in-4-days-in-bengaluru-1078257.html" target="_blank">RTO officials seize 300 bike taxis in 4 days in Bengaluru</a></strong></p>.<p>“The drivers of auto-rickshaws and taxis are booking the rides and helping the RTO officials catch us. We are not doing anything illegal.</p>.<p>"In fact, we are helping people go from one place to another at an affordable fare. Why do officials not allow us to make a living,” a driver asked.</p>.<p>Another driver told <span class="italic">DH</span> that the RTO officials have imposed a penalty of Rs 10,500, but have not given them any receipt. “They have written the amount on a piece of paper and signed it. Who will recognise this as an official document? This harassment must stop,” he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Ban Rapido’ </p>.<p>Meanwhile, members of the Peace Auto and Taxi Drivers Association staged a protest against the bike taxis and submitted a memorandum to the government seeking a ban on Rapido.</p>.<p>“Over the last two years, our daily earnings have taken a hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Allowing bike taxis will take away even the last few rupees we are managing to earn,” said Manirajan, an auto driver.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>Two-wheeler owners attached to the Rapido taxi service protested near the Koramangala RTO office in HSR Layout accusing officials of charging a fine of Rs 10,500.</p>.<p>The protest comes a day after Road Transport Office (RTO) officials seized more than 150 bikes saying the use of white-board vehicles for commercial purposes violates the Motor Vehicles Act.</p>.<p>Rapido, an app-based aggregator, is providing a bike taxi service. The two-wheelers are not owned by the company. Individual owners register with Rapido to get ride bookings for which the company takes a commission.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/rto-officials-seize-300-bike-taxis-in-4-days-in-bengaluru-1078257.html" target="_blank">RTO officials seize 300 bike taxis in 4 days in Bengaluru</a></strong></p>.<p>“The drivers of auto-rickshaws and taxis are booking the rides and helping the RTO officials catch us. We are not doing anything illegal.</p>.<p>"In fact, we are helping people go from one place to another at an affordable fare. Why do officials not allow us to make a living,” a driver asked.</p>.<p>Another driver told <span class="italic">DH</span> that the RTO officials have imposed a penalty of Rs 10,500, but have not given them any receipt. “They have written the amount on a piece of paper and signed it. Who will recognise this as an official document? This harassment must stop,” he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Ban Rapido’ </p>.<p>Meanwhile, members of the Peace Auto and Taxi Drivers Association staged a protest against the bike taxis and submitted a memorandum to the government seeking a ban on Rapido.</p>.<p>“Over the last two years, our daily earnings have taken a hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Allowing bike taxis will take away even the last few rupees we are managing to earn,” said Manirajan, an auto driver.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>