Cops flash safety alert on UP’s ‘Baxis’

The launch of bike taxis in Uttar Pradesh will not only generate jobs, but also ensure faster travel at cheaper rates. Passengers will be able to book these through a mobile app.

Lucknow: Bangkok-style motorcycle taxis, also known as “baxis”, are set to hit streets of major Uttar Pradesh cities with Yogi Aditynanath government planning a grand launch of the job-generation scheme next month.

However, the decision to introduce bike taxis in major cities of the state has left the state police worried over a possible traffic congestion and spurt in crime due to the new service.

The government believes  bike taxis will generate employment for the jobless youth in a big way.

This apart, two two-wheeler companies, Bajaj and TVS, are offering 100 per cent finance to youths for the bike taxis who chose to run them on a part-time basis without giving up their regular jobs.

For easy identification, the bike taxis will be painted yellow and the drivers will sport yellow jackets.

“A passenger riding pillion will be required to wear a helmet,” said a senior officer in the state transport department.

Voicing her apprehensions, a senior police official  said, “Personally, I am not in favour of the idea, more so, if women use these bike taxis. In case of any untoward incident, it won’t be easy to intercept or trace a bike unlike a car or a bus.”

“Besides, there will be no GPS tracking in these bikes plus there will be no police verification of the bike taxi drivers,” she added.

Another senior police officer felt that the bike taxis will further worsen the traffic situation in major cities, especially Lucknow.

“Two-wheelers crisscrossing through lanes are already a major traffic hazard. In such a situation, the bike taxis will worsen only add fuel to fire,” he said.

“I am concerned about the safety of my granddaughter who works in a call centre and is looking forward to this facility. She says this will help her save money on conveyance, but I am worrying about her using these taxis. I guess I will have to stay awake till she returns home,” Daya Shankar Tiwari, a retired government employee, said.

The state government, as a safety measure, has made it compulsory for every bike taxi to have the name of the driver and his mobile number printed prominently on the bike.

In a state where travel by public transport such as buses and taxis is still considered unsafe, especially for women, the concept of bike taxis sounds dangerous.

Since the bike taxis can be driven on a part-time basis and are much cheaper than other modes of transport, it is mostly the youths who will avail the facility.

The youth are excited about the new service that will ensure faster travel at cheaper rates.

 In Thailand, where the “baxis” are popular, the vehicles don’t cruise around looking for passengers, but gather in groups at various “stations”.

In UP, similar facilities will be provided to the bike taxis. Also, they will also be booked through a mobile app,, said an official. 

New set of wheels

• As a safety measure, the government has made it mandatory for baxis to have the name of the driver and his mobile number printed on the vehicle
• Police officers fear that the bike taxis will add to the existing problem of traffic congestion. It will be like adding fuel to the fire.