MUMBAI: In a significant move aimed at enhancing urban mobility, Maharashtra, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has approved the introduction of bike taxis in Mumbai and other urban areas. This decision, welcomed by ride aggregator giants like Rapido, Ola, and Uber, aims to alleviate city traffic congestion while ensuring passenger safety.
Under the new regulations, app-based aggregators must pay a registration fee of Rs.1 lakh and maintain a fleet of at least 50 two-wheelers. For aggregators with fleets exceeding 10,000 vehicles, the registration fee will be higher at Rs.5 lakh. Bike taxis in Mumbai can operate within a 10 km radius, while in other cities, the radius is limited to 5 km. Each bike must be equipped with GPS capability, and pilots will undergo mandatory basic training as per the draft rules.
State Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimankar highlighted that further details regarding the government's notification will be released soon. He emphasized the convenience of app-based bike taxi services, which are expected to reduce urban traffic congestion significantly.
Chief Minister Shinde's decision follows a recommendation from the state transport department, aligning with the central government's 2022 policy on bike taxis. While the federal government approved bike taxis two years ago, state governments were tasked with formulating regulations and issuing licenses.
According to a transport department official, Maharashtra's regulatory framework aims to standardize the bike taxi industry and ensure passenger safety. Currently, aggregators operate without a formal policy, absolving themselves of liability in case of accidents.
Maharashtra now joins Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka as the thirteenth state to legalize bike taxis, marking a significant step towards modernizing urban transport infrastructure.
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