No plans to ban carpooling but apps must operate as per law, says minister

Karnataka has no plans to ban carpooling in Bengaluru, but ridesharing apps must take the necessary permissions and operate within the legal framework, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said on Monday.

A controversy has broken out after the Transport Department called carpooling apps such as Quick Ride “illegal” and pledged to ban them. Some people mistook the announcement for a government order.

Several carpooling apps currently operate in the city, helping techies and other professionals travelling in the same direction share rides. The apps charge a commission for facilitating the rides.