Tejasvi Surya on Carpooling Ban
The Karnataka government imposed a carpooling ban in Bengaluru with fines of up to ₹10,000 for violations. Tejasvi Surya, a prominent political figure, has urged the government to reconsider this ban due to the city’s transportation challenges.
He highlights the inadequacy of Bengaluru’s public transport infrastructure, with around 6,763 buses, still insufficient for a population of 1.10 crore. Surya estimates an additional 6,000 buses are needed. He sees carpooling as a practical solution, particularly for IT employees who commute to the same areas, reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
Carpooling can get private vehicles off the road & bring ease during peak hour commute.
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 1, 2023
Vehicular population has increased by 6,000% since 1990, making Bengaluru, a city with highest vehicle density that commutes at 15kmph.
A ban on car-pooling only encourages congestion, the… pic.twitter.com/R2e3ja76zS
Several ride-sharing and carpooling services, such as BlaBla Car, Quickride, Zoom, and Rideshare, have been operating in Bengaluru, allowing 3-4 individuals to share rides to their workplaces or common destinations.
Outdated Motor Vehicles Act
Surya highlights the need for an update to the Motor Vehicles Act to accommodate evolving transportation needs. He characterizes the current act as “outdated” and unsuitable for regulating whiteboard vehicles used for commercial commute purposes.
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While the Karnataka government argues that private vehicles should not be employed for commercial purposes, Surya contends that the law must adapt to changing times. He specifically points out that the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989 are inadequate to address contemporary transportation requirements.
Carpool Ban Situation
The transport department of Karnataka has declared the use of whiteboard vehicles for commercial commuting as “illegal” and has set fines ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 for violators.
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Tejasvi Surya’s appeal to reconsider the ban on carpooling in Bengaluru underscores the need for flexible and innovative transportation solutions in rapidly growing urban areas. With the inadequacy of public transport and changing commuter needs, reevaluating existing regulations becomes essential to address modern mobility challenges effectively.
