The key question missing in India’s debate over ‘taxi mafia’ and ride-hailing apps

The notification of Goa’s Transport Aggregator Guidelines on May 20 once more fanned the heated discussion about taxi operations in the state, prompting tourists, residents and drivers to argue about prices and the regulatory framework for the sector.

Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, bike taxi services came to a grinding halt on June 16 following a High Court directive. In response, app-based aggregators rebranded these services as courier platforms – a move many saw as a thinly veiled attempt to skirt regulation – or quietly removed them altogether.

These episodes have ignited fierce debate across India. Outrage over “taxi mafias” purportedly holding the public to ransom, concerns about job losses and legal grey zones have hit the headlines.

In Goa, critics point to inflated fares and poor service. In Bengaluru, the bike taxi ban has left thousands of gig workers jobless and protesting. In response, some have framed Goa’s taxi setup as a grassroots cooperative – defending territorial control and fixed pricing as a form of collective protection.

At the heart of these developments lies a deeper tension – one that is not just about Goa or Bengaluru but about how urban mobility is governed across India.

Instead of asking whether app-based aggregators like Uber and Ola should be banned or embraced, perhaps we should ask why our cities have failed to build mobility systems that...

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