Moving forward in streamlining bike taxis in the city, the state transport department today distributed permits to the operators of two wheelers plying for commercial purposes.

According to the official sources in the department, around 129 operators were handed over with the permits at an event at Salt Lake PVD office today. With the addition of the 129 vehicles, the number of bike taxis plying with official permits is said to have reached around 400, according to the members of the union representing the commercial two wheelers. After the permit issuance, the bike taxis would have to be operated with a yellow number plate.

After regularizing the bike taxis in the city, the department is exploring options of allowing such vehicles in tourist spots. According to the transport minister, Snehasis Chakraborty, proposals have been received to allow the bike taxis for tourists as well.

Even with the regularization of the commercially used two wheelers, the process is a long way to go, according to the operators, who, like online app-cab drivers, have come forward with some demands. As pointed out by the union members of the bike taxis, the number around 400 vehicles with permits is small as there is a mammoth figure that plies in the districts of the state.

Cumulatively in the districts of Kolkata, Howrah, South 24-Parganas, North 24-Parganas and there around 40,000 to 50,000 bike taxis registered in five aggregating companies. Of this, around 20000-25,000 thousand hit the roads almost every day, according to the members.

“We welcome the move of issuing permits to the bike taxis and urge the others to come under the permit system as soon as possible. In case of any eventuality, the union would not provide any kind of support to those operating illegally without permits,” said the assistant secretary of the CITU-affiliated Kolkata Ola Uber App Cab Drivers’ Union, Sohag Khan.

Like the online app cab operators, the bike taxi drivers are also demanding a hike in fare. “In the present set up, the payment to a driver is Rs 7-9 per kilometre, varying from one company to another. Also, apart from one, no company provides us with accident or death claims. After the system of permits in place, where our expenses would go up with a commercial number plate, we are demanding to increase the pay to Rs 12 per kilometre for passenger bike taxis and Rs 14 per km for goods carrying bike taxis,” added the assistant secretary.

The union plans to organize training on handling women passengers and other behavioural aspects to the drivers on quarterly basis.