Agartala, 5th June 2026: A large group of bike riders staged a protest on Friday at the company office in Dhaleswar, the capital, against the ride-hailing platform Rapido over its newly introduced “Bike Boost” promotional pricing.
According to the riders, rising fuel costs have made it increasingly difficult to operate profitably. Petrol prices have reportedly climbed to around 104 in local currency, making short-distance rides financially unsustainable under the current fare structure.
The controversy began when Rapido introduced its “Bike Boost” offer, which allows customers to book bike rides at significantly lower per-kilometre rates. Riders claim the company initially assured them that the service would be discontinued within 48 hours after discussions at its Dhaleswar office.
However, even after 72 hours, the offer remained active. When riders returned to the office on Friday seeking confirmation of its withdrawal, they were informed that the promotional pricing would continue for customers.
Following the announcement, more than 500 bike riders gathered outside the office and began a protest, eventually shutting down operations at the site. Police were later deployed to control the situation.
The riders have warned that they may stop providing services entirely if the discounted pricing model is not withdrawn, arguing that earning only 50–60 per trip for 5 km rides does not cover fuel and operating costs. They say that earning as little as 15–20 for a 5 km trip is unsustainable and could lead to significant financial losses.
The situation remains tense as both sides continue to hold firm on their positions.
