Mon Dec 16 16:52:56 UTC 2024: ## Coimbatore Bike Taxi Operators Seek Police Protection Amidst Autorickshaw Driver Protests
**COIMBATORE, December 17, 2024** – The Bike Taxi Association (BTA) in Coimbatore has appealed to City Police Commissioner V. Balakrishnan for protection from what they describe as harassment and threats from autorickshaw drivers. The BTA claims its drivers are being prevented from operating, and that passengers using their services are also being targeted. This comes despite a recent clarification from the Tamil Nadu Transport Minister that there is no state-wide ban on bike taxis.
Meanwhile, over 100 autorickshaw drivers held a silent protest near Coimbatore’s Town Hall, demanding a ban on bike taxi services. The protest, which lasted until 5 p.m., involved drivers wearing black masks and squatting on the roadside. The conflicting actions highlight the growing tension between the two transportation sectors in the city.
First Piper 