Bike Taxis Set to Hit Maharashtra Roads: Statewide Launch Expected as New Policy Awaits Approval

The Maharashtra government is gearing up to launch bike taxi services across the entire state by April 2024. The Transport Department has already prepared a policy proposal, which is now awaiting cabinet approval. Once approved, the official rules and guidelines will be announced, paving the way for bike taxis to hit the roads.

A senior transport official shared, “We expect the cabinet to approve the policy soon. After that, the draft rules will be made public. Since this initiative is part of the Chief Minister’s 100-day program, we are confident that bike taxis will be operational by April.”

Under the new policy, bike taxis will be allowed to operate in all cities, including areas like South Mumbai, which were initially considered for exemptions. To encourage more women to join the service, the policy will include safety measures such as a small partition behind female drivers for added security.

Bike taxis, which typically carry one passenger, are expected to be a budget-friendly travel option, with fares potentially as low as ₹3 per kilometer. Similar services are already popular in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

While the Centre approved bike taxis two years ago, allowing states to set their own rules, Maharashtra’s rollout faced delays due to opposition from transport unions. For instance, in 2022, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) denied permission to Rapido, a bike taxi aggregator, to operate in the state. Rapido challenged this decision in the Bombay High Court, but the court dismissed the petition in January 2023, stating that proper licensing and compliance were necessary.

To address these issues, the state formed a committee to draft a policy for bike taxi aggregators. During discussions, auto and taxi unions voiced strong opposition. They argued that bike taxis are classified as ‘non-transport’ vehicles, meaning they don’t require the same permits as traditional taxis or auto rickshaws. The unions also raised concerns about road safety, passenger welfare, and increased air and noise pollution from petrol-powered bikes being used as taxis.

Despite these challenges, the state government, under then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, gave the green light to bike taxis by June 2024. This move is expected to provide a convenient and affordable transportation option for commuters while creating new opportunities for riders across Maharashtra.