As of June 16, 2025, bike taxis have been banned across Karnataka. Platforms like Uber Moto, Ola Bike, and Rapido are no longer allowed to operate in the state. The ban follows a legal battle that ended with the Karnataka High Court refusing to stay the government’s decision.
The move has sparked sharp reactions. Supporters cite safety and regulatory concerns. Critics say it cuts off a lifeline for commuters who rely on affordable, fast rides. But here at Vumonic Datalabs, we asked a different question:
How much does this actually impact Uber and its riders, based on real ride-level data?
To find out, we analyzed ride receipts from our email panel covering Uber trips across India between March 1 and June 15, 2025. Here's what we uncovered.
How Big Is Uber Moto Compared to Other Ride Types?
Across India, Uber Moto makes up a meaningful chunk of ride volume, even though it generates lower revenue per trip.
Metric | Uber Moto | Uber Auto | Uber Go | Uber Premier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Share of rides | ~17% | ~34% | ~24% | ~7% |
Share of revenue | ~8% | ~19% | ~34% | ~18% |
Average fare per ride(₹) | ₹80 | ₹110 | ₹280 | ₹430 |
Average distance | 7.5 km | 6.1 km | 13.6 km | 16.1 km |
Fare per km | ₹10.5 | ₹18.4 | ₹21.2 | ₹27.1 |
Average ride duration | 18.2 mins | 19.5 mins | 33.9 mins | 43.9 mins |
Moto is clearly the most affordable, most nimble option. It’s priced for mass accessibility, covers decent distances, and gets riders to their destination faster than any other category.
What This Means for Karnataka
Zooming in on Karnataka, Uber Moto accounts for around 12 to 13 percent of all Uber rides in the state. However, its contribution to total revenue is much lower, closer to 6 percent.
That’s because Moto fares are significantly lower than other ride types. But that doesn’t mean it’s insignificant. The product fills a crucial gap for low-cost daily mobility.
The majority of these rides come from Bengaluru, where traffic congestion is high and affordable transport options are critical for daily commuters.
What Changes for Riders
For many commuters, especially in Bengaluru, this change removes their most affordable and time-efficient option.
Here’s how other options compare:
Uber Auto is typically around 40% more expensive than Moto
Uber Go can cost between 3 to 4 times more
Moto rides are often the fastest, with quicker travel times during traffic-heavy hours
Many users may shift to autos or Go, but some may reduce ride frequency or drop off the platform altogether.
What It Means for Uber
In Karnataka, the impact is more about volume than revenue. While the revenue loss might be modest, Uber loses access to a high-frequency, high-loyalty user base that is harder to retain through more expensive products.
If a Moto user stops opening the app entirely, that’s a bigger long-term problem than just lost bookings.
About This Analysis
This analysis is based on real transaction data collected via Vumonic’s email receipt panel, covering ride activity from March 1 to June 15, 2025. We track consumer behavior across India’s digital economy using anonymized, first-party purchase data.
For city-level dashboards, sector-specific insights, or media collaborations, reach out to us!