Latest news with #MaharashtraBike-TaxiRules
News18
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Electric Bike Taxis Now Legal In Maharashtra: What Are The Rules For Riders' Safety & Ops?
Last Updated: Maharashtra Electric Bike Taxi Rules, 2025: The move comes days after state minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed illegal operations by hailing a ride from Mantralaya The Maharashtra has officially notified rules for bike-taxi services across the state — the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025 – clearing the way for aggregator firms to obtain licences. The move comes days after state minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed the illegal operations by hailing a ride from Mantralaya, the state secretariat. What are the rules for electric bike taxis in Maharashtra? Only electric two-wheelers are allowed. Petrol vehicles are not permitted. Aggregators must operate a minimum fleet of 50 electric bikes registered in Maharashtra and pay Rs 1 lakh as a licensing fee and Rs 5 lakh as a security deposit. Licences will be valid for five years. Each bike taxi must be painted yellow with 'bike taxi' written in reflective lettering. Riders must provide yellow helmets to passengers, which must be sanitised after every trip. Only drivers aged between 20 and 50 years with a valid commercial licence and PSV badge can be employed. They must undergo police verification, periodic health and fitness checks, and demonstrate knowledge of city routes. Anyone convicted in the past seven years of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is barred from working as a driver. Aggregators must ensure their apps include features such as GPS tracking, female driver preference, panic buttons, and a 24/7 control room. Street hailing of bike taxis is prohibited; rides must be booked through the app. Working hours for drivers are capped at eight hours a day, and the maximum trip distance is restricted to 15km. Aggregators are required to conduct safety training for drivers every three months. The rules empower local bodies — including RTOs — to determine city-specific fares, fleet sizes, routes, live tracking systems, and emergency response mechanisms. The government has also directed that bike taxis be integrated into existing local public transport networks where possible. मंत्रालय येथूनचं ट्रॅप ऑपरेशन – अनधिकृत रॅपिडो बाईक टॅक्सी सेवांवर थेट कारवाई… #PratapSarnaik #TransportMinister #MaharashtraTransport #ActionAgainstIllegalBikeTaxi @rapidobikeapp — Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) July 2, 2025 Maharashtra notification on electric bike taxis after Sarnaik's expose Maharashtra transport commissionerate on Thursday asked RTOs to crack down on illegal bike taxis, the diktat coming a day after state minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed their operations by hailing a ride from Mantralaya, the state secretariat. In a release issued here, the transport commissioner's office also asked citizens not to use such illegal passenger services and urged them to prioritise safety. It also said strict action will be taken against such unauthorised operations if citizens provide tip offs. On Wednesday, Maharashtra transport minister Sarnaik, without disclosing his identity, booked a ride from Mantralaya to Dadar on a Rapido bike taxi. He caught the bike taxi rider red-handed at Genu junction outside the state secretariat. The release from the transport commissioner's office claimed Rapido, Ola and Uber are ferrying passengers without obtaining mandatory permits. The use of such unauthorised services not only violates regulations but also raises serious concerns about passenger safety. it added. Police cases were registered last month against Uber and Rapido for operating illegal bike taxi services, while Regional Transport Offices have been asked to take strict action, a senior official said. With PTI Inputs First Published: July 09, 2025, 13:15 IST
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Electric bike taxis now legal in Maharashtra: Here's what the rules say
Written by Kartika Jamdar and Naresh S Bike taxis are now officially legal in Maharashtra. The state government on July 4 notified the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, clearing the way for app-based aggregators to begin operations, provided they meet strict licensing, safety, and operational conditions. 'Once aggregators apply for licences under the notified norms, they will be permitted to operate,' a transport official confirmed. Services like Rapido and Uber can now run electric bike taxis after registering as per the new rules. Under the framework issued by the home department, only electric two-wheelers are allowed, not petrol vehicles. Aggregators must operate a minimum fleet of 50 electric bikes registered in Maharashtra and pay ₹1 lakh as a licensing fee and ₹5 lakh as a security deposit. The licences will be valid for five years. Each bike taxi must be painted yellow with 'Bike Taxi' written in reflective lettering. Riders must provide yellow helmets to passengers, which must be sanitised after every trip. Only drivers aged between 20 and 50 years with a valid commercial licence and public service vehicle badge can be employed. They must undergo police verification, periodic health and fitness checks, and demonstrate knowledge of city routes. Anyone convicted in the past seven years of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is barred from working as a driver. Working hours for drivers are capped at eight hours a day, and the maximum trip distance is restricted to 15 km. Aggregators are required to conduct safety training for drivers every three months. To enhance commuter safety—particularly for women—aggregators must ensure their apps include features like GPS tracking, female driver preference, panic buttons, and a 24/7 control room. Street hailing of bike taxis is prohibited, and rides must be booked through the app. The rules empower local bodies, including RTOs, to determine city-specific fares, fleet sizes, routes, live tracking systems, and emergency response mechanisms. The government has also directed that bike taxis be integrated into existing local public transport networks where possible. In a key addition to the draft rules published on May 22, the final notification mandates compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Aggregators must ensure user data collected via the app is handled lawfully and securely. The state aims to prioritise rollout in major cities first, gradually extending services to all urban areas with a population above one lakh. The move is expected to boost last-mile connectivity, especially in cities with limited public transport infrastructure, while giving a push to electric mobility. The Maharashtra government in April had cleared a policy under which bike taxis could operate in the state. However, it had not codified the norms under which these services could operate. In spite of the absence of these norms, major app-based vehicle aggregators had started these services. The services were discontinued last Thursday after Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik caught a bike taxi plying illegally near the Mantralaya junction in Mumbai on Wednesday. 'I myself used this illegal service despite the government not giving it the nod. Such companies operating without state sanction will be taken strictly to task,' Sarnaik had said last week, stating that the bike taxi services are illegal. Kartika Jamdar and Naresh S are interns with The Indian Express.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bike-taxi rules finalised, servicelikely to launch later this month
Mumbai: Following transport minister Pratap Sarnaik's recent encounter with an illegal bike-taxi rider near Mantralaya, the home department has issued a gazette notification formalising the rules for bike-taxi operations across the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The notification, dated July 4 and titled Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, mandates that aggregator companies must obtain a valid licence before operating bike-taxi services in the state. Applications from aggregator firms are expected to be received and approved in the coming days. Once the licensing process is completed, legal bike-taxis could begin plying later this month. The rules specify that bike-taxi drivers must hold a valid commercial driving licence along with a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge, similar to that required for auto and taxi drivers. Additionally, drivers must possess adequate knowledge of local roads and routes to ensure passenger convenience. Only individuals between the ages of 20 and 50 are eligible to operate as bike-taxi drivers, and they must undergo police verification at the time of induction. Drivers with criminal convictions will not be permitted. Under the new regulations, aggregator firms are required to maintain a minimum fleet of 50 electric bike-taxis as part of their five-year operating licence. The notification also outlines key safety and operational norms, including passenger insurance coverage of up to Rs 2 lakh in the event of accidental death, and strict fare regulation to ensure charges do not exceed the maximum rates set by transport authorities. To ensure customer service and safety, operators must establish a dedicated call centre or function through an authorised web portal. An emergency helpline facility must also be provided, allowing riders to send distress alerts to the aggregator, local authorities, police, and personal emergency contacts. Aggregators will also be responsible for maintaining robust feedback and grievance redressal systems.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bike Taxi Blues: RTO Calls For Views On Policy, Day Before Deadline Ends
Nagpur: Even though June 5 was the last date for submitting suggestions on Maharashtra's proposed bike taxi policy, the Nagpur Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Thursday invited public objections only on the final day, raising eyebrows over delayed communication and citizen outreach. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The draft rules, aimed at legalising two-wheeler taxi services in cities with over one lakh population, were issued by the state govt on May 22, but local-level awareness came tad too late. The state transport department's draft "Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025" lays out comprehensive aggregator policy for launching shared two-wheeler taxi services. Proposed rules make it mandatory for service providers to own at least 50 electric two-wheelers & apply for an aggregator licence using Form-1. Additional conditions include app-based booking systems, a fare structure, complaint redressal mechanism, & safety norms. In Nagpur, regional transport officer Kiran Bidkar told TOI the directive to seek public feedback was received the state transport commissioner's office headed by Vivek Bhimanwar only recently. "The last date was June 5. But since we got the instructions a couple of days ago, we are now inviting feedback from citizens. The govt may still consider the inputs," he said. However, transport activists criticised the timing, calling it a failure of public engagement. "This is a significant policy that impacts urban mobility, delivery workers, and unemployed youth looking to join the gig economy. Why was the public not informed in time?" said an auto-rickshaw union leader who preferred anonymity. The draft rules created a buzz among startups and delivery platforms, which have long demanded legalisation of two-wheeler taxis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The policy could open doors for app-based services similar to those in other metro cities, providing affordable and faster last-mile connectivity. Still, concerns remain over traffic regulation, safety, insurance compliance, and impact on auto-rickshaw drivers. The RTO has asked citizens to send their suggestions or objections in writing or visit the city RTO office directly. However, with the official deadline now over, it remains unclear how long the window for feedback will remain open or whether new inputs will officially be incorporated into the final version submitted to the govt. Despite the communication lapse, RTO officials insisted they are committed to transparency & inclusivity in implementing the policy.
