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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Chhava to be state's official ride-hailing app operated by MSRTC
Chhava will be the name of Maharashtra's new official ride-hailing application to be released by the state government through the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The resolution was adopted on Tuesday at a meeting conducted at the Mantralaya to seal the framework of the app under Centre's Aggregator Guidelines. According to MSRTC, the new app promises respectable earnings for drivers as well as secure and dependable commutes for citizens. State Transport Minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik said, 'Chhava will be a public platform for services of taxis, autos, buses, and e-buses run with the assistance of MSRTC. The purpose is to provide local youth with earnings and transparency to travelers in fares.' He added that the app will be run by MSRTC to generate a new revenue source for the corporation and gain commuter confidence in public platforms. The name Chhava was jointly decided from among other suggestions like Jai Maharashtra, Maha-Ride, Maha-Yatri and Maha-Go. The proposal will now go to Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as well as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for a final clearance. The app has been designed to reduce relying on private aggregator platforms that charge high margins, frequently affecting drivers as well as commuters. Sarnaik added, 'The government is making efforts to liberate passengers and drivers from the clutches of exploitative pricing by private operators. Chhava is a step in that direction.' To facilitate employment via the app, Mumbai Bank committed to offer vehicle loans at 10% interest to Marathi youths who want to register as service providers. Mumbai Bank's head MLA Pravin Darekar said attempts are also being made to get an 11% interest subsidy through different state government run development corporations so that the net loan price is near zero. MSRTC officials maintain that the corporation has the infrastructure, manpower and technical capability to run the app throughout the state. The rules for running the app are in the final stages of approval under the Centre's aggregator policy. Once operational, it will serve as an additional source of revenue for MSRTC with commuters having a publicly accountable commuting option. 'MSRTC's decades of passenger trust and its network in Maharashtra make it the ideal agency to operate such a platform,' Sarnaik said.
News18
28-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Maharashtra Govt To Launch New App To Book Cabs, Autos & E-Bikes. Will It Disrupt Ride Costs?
Last Updated: Maharashtra plans to launch an app-based transport service to compete with Uber, Ola, and Rapido. Possible names include Jai Maharashtra, Maha-Ride, Maha-Yatri, or Maha-Go. Uber, Ola, Rapido and other ride-hailing businesses will soon witness a new competitor in Maharashtra as the Devendra Fadnavis government is considering to launch its own app-based transport service. People will be able to book autorickshaws, taxis, and e-bikes in the state through this application. The new government-run app is likely to be named Jai Maharashtra, Maha-Ride, Maha-Yatri, or Maha-Go, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. However, the launch of the government app is yet to get approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. 'To develop the app, discussions are underway with the Maharashtra Institute for Transport Technology and MITRA, along with private firms. The app will include all necessary provisions to maintain transparency and will be developed soon," Sarnaik said. Under this initiative, the minister said special financial assistance will be provided to unemployed youth to purchase vehicles at an interest rate of just 10 per cent. 'Mumbai Bank Chairman Praveen Darekar assured that this initiative will enable financial aid to reach deserving candidates. Additionally, government corporations such as Annasaheb Economic Development Corporation, Vimukta Jati Corporation, OBC Corporation, and MSDC will provide an 11 per cent interest subsidy, making the loan effectively interest-free," he said. Sarnaik also mentioned that the app's policy framework is in the final stage, in line with the Central Government's Aggregator Guidelines. He criticised private companies for exploiting both drivers and passengers through unauthorised apps. 'With sufficient infrastructure, technology, and manpower, the government's app will benefit both passengers and drivers," he emphasised. A final review meeting on the app is scheduled for August 5 at Mantralaya, with MLA Praveen Darekar, technical experts, and government officials expected to attend. Earlier this month, the minister warned app-based transport businesses, saying buses, cars and bike taxis operating in the state must follow the rules and regulations. He has also given directions to officials to take strict legal action against any private transport services –whether buses, cars or bike taxis– that violate regulations. (With ANI inputs) view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 23:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- News18
No More Free Cancellations, Maharashtra To Fine Drivers Rs 100 For Every Ride Dropped
Last Updated: Not just drivers, in case a rider cancels a booked trip without justification, a fine of 5 per cent of the fare—capped at Rs 50—will be levied The Maharashtra government has rolled out a new policy to tackle the issue of arbitrary ride cancellations by app-based taxi drivers. Under the revised 'Aggregator Guidelines', any driver who cancels a ride without a valid reason will face a penalty amounting to 10 per cent of the ride fare, with a maximum cap of Rs 100. This move aims to bring greater discipline and reliability to ride-hailing services across the state. Passengers aren't exempt from accountability either. If a rider cancels a booked trip without justification, a fine of 5 per cent of the fare—capped at Rs 50—will be levied. The goal is to create a balanced and fair system that discourages last-minute cancellations on both sides, ensuring smoother operations and improved trust between users and service providers. These guidelines are part of a broader national framework initiated by the Central Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which issued a directive on November 26, 2020, mandating every state to establish individual rules for app-based transport aggregators. Maharashtra was among the first to act, formally notifying its guidelines, which came into effect in February 2024, following preparatory work since October 2023. A key highlight of Maharashtra's policy is the strong focus on women's safety in shared mobility services. For ride-sharing options like carpooling, companies are now required to deploy women drivers specifically for women passengers. This measure seeks to provide a more secure and comfortable travel experience for female commuters. Beyond penalties and gender-sensitive provisions, the new rules lay down several mandatory safety and service standards. These include the integration of an emergency contact option within the app interface, compulsory background verification and character assessment of drivers, and mandatory insurance coverage for both passengers and drivers. To ensure regulatory compliance, only officially registered companies will be allowed to operate app-based taxi services. These companies must follow cooperative structures and maintain full data transparency with the transport department. The new guidelines also require regular reporting and cooperation with authorities to enhance service standards. Overall, the policy aims to streamline app-based transportation in Maharashtra by addressing persistent issues such as unpredictable cancellations, safety concerns, and regulatory grey areas. With these comprehensive measures in place, the state hopes to set a benchmark for others to follow. As more states begin implementing their own aggregator rules, Maharashtra's proactive approach is likely to serve as a reference model for safer and more reliable app-based mobility across the country. First Published:
