The Karnataka transport department has written to Bengaluru-based ride hailing platform Ola and bike taxi startup Rapido to stop its bike taxi services immediately. The company had begun pilot testing of the bike taxi services in Bengaluru since the past week. The Ola, TaxiForSure and Uber (OTU) Owners and Drivers Association had requested the transport department to look into the matter and take action against both the companies. The secretary of the state transport authority, Narendra Holkar has reportedly said that officials have been directed to seize any such bikes if found and also penalise them. He also added that the department has sought answers from the company as to why the services were introduced without the permission of the transport department. Citing transport commissioner VP Ikkeri, a media report said that bike taxi sharing services are not legal in Bengaluru as of yet as the department is yet to finalise the policy. The state government is still mulling over whether bike taxi services should be introduced in the state. However, since the policy is yet to be decided, the government will take action against the players who offer such services.