Maharashtra is gearing up to introduce bike taxis in its major cities, offering a time-saving and cost-effective alternative for navigating heavy traffic. Bike taxis, already popular in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai, typically charge as low as Rs 3 per km and carry one pillion rider.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced plans to bring ride-hailing platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido under a unified regulatory framework. He emphasized the need for a robust complaint mechanism to address passenger safety, licensing, carpooling, and traffic violations.
This decision comes two years after the Centre authorized bike taxis, delegating rule-making and licensing responsibilities to state governments. Maharashtra’s implementation faced resistance from auto and taxi unions, citing concerns over road safety, passenger welfare, and the environmental impact of classifying bike taxis as ‘non-transport vehicles,’ exempting them from permit requirements.
Draft Rules
In 2022, the Pune RTO denied Rapido authorization to operate bike taxis, leading the company to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court. However, the court upheld the RTO’s stance, citing the lack of a state policy on two-wheeler taxi services. Last year, under then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the state government sanctioned bike taxis and finalized a draft framework covering licensing, registration, and regulation. Including,
- Each app-based aggregator must have a minimum fleet size of 50 two-wheelers.
- All bikes must be equipped with GPS
- Aggregators will also be required to ensure the registration and basic training of bike riders
Safety Measures
According to Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar, the new policy would prioritize passenger safety, vehicle maintenance, and compliance with helmet usage rules. The framework aims to unify regulations for all ride-hailing services, including cabs, taxis, and bike taxis. The policy will also encourage female participation as riders, with proposed safety measures like partitions between female drivers and pillion riders.
- Bike taxi operators must provide helmet for pillion rider
- Insure all rides for both rider and pillion
- The app will allow you to track the bike taxi’s location in real time. You can share it with a friend or relative who can keep track of your journey
Benefits of Bike Taxis
- Riders can reach their destination faster, navigate through heavy traffic and save money while ensuring timely arrival
- Bike taxis could help reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, as they serve as a form of public transport
Union Demands and Concerns
Autorickshaw union leader Thampy Kurien has urged the government to address key issues before rolling out the policy. He called for mandatory use of yellow number plates for bike taxis, regulated fare structures with state-approved meters, enhanced safety measures, and strict compliance with Motor Vehicle Rules, including the possession of all necessary transport documents by riders.
As Maharashtra finalizes its transport policy, it hopes to strike a balance between fostering innovation in urban mobility and addressing the concerns of traditional transport operators.
