Maharashtra govt to launch ride-hailing app to compete with Ola, Uber
The service that would be operated under the state transport department would offer a competition for the private players in the sector, which is currently dominated by private cab aggregator platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido, according to Sarnik.
The proposal has received an in-principle nod from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, but the clearance from the Cabinet is expected soon, Sarnaik said.
Sarnaik, who is also the chairman of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), said the app-based aggregator platform for the state is almost complete, and the government is deliberating on names such as Jai Maharashtra, Maha-Ride, Maha-Yatri, or Maha-Go for the app.
The app is being developed in collaboration with institutions such as the Maharashtra Institute for Transport Technology and Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), with private players in consultation.
'This will not only offer comfortable travel for commuters but also generate employment for thousands of youngsters in Maharashtra,' Sarnaik said, adding that all terms in the Centre's aggregator policy guidelines are being adhered to.
The government plans to check the monopoly and ensure transparency in fare levels and drivers' benefits, officials from the transport department said. The app will offer services by auto-rickshaws, taxis, and e-bikes in towns and cities.
Officials indicated that the platform will also be made compatible with the Central Government's Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2020, which stipulate safety, accountability, and fare regulation standards for digital transport aggregators.
'The government has the technical knowledge, infrastructure, and manpower. This model, if well implemented, will serve the interests of both service providers and users,' he added.
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