Latest news with #MaharashtraBike-TaxiRules
Hindustan Times
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HC refuses to entertain plea of auto drivers against plying of bike taxis
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition that alleged illegal plying of bike taxis using private vehicles in the city. The court also took the opportunity to criticise the city's traditional auto and taxi services, remarking that they often operate like a cartel. The petition stated the bike taxis operated by aggregators like Rapido were using white number plates instead of yellow-and-black ones. A bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale came down heavily on four auto rickshaw drivers who had filed the petition, urging the court to enforce restrictions against bike taxis operated by aggregators like Rapido, claiming these services were using white number plates designated for private vehicles instead of the required yellow-and-black transport plates, thus operating illegally and affecting their livelihood. The court, however, declined to intervene, observing that the petition appeared aimed at creating a monopoly. 'You want to indirectly take an order and put pressure on them (bike services). There cannot be a monopoly. If a single person has to travel, then it is better to take a bike than an auto or taxi,' the judges said. This ruling follows the state government's recent notification of the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, on July 4, which paves the way for the regulated operation of app-based bike taxis, subject to licensing, safety, and operational compliance. While the petitioners claimed they were merely seeking enforcement of the rules against unlicensed vehicles, the bench was unpersuaded. The court highlighted the common experience of commuters, stating, 'Everyone has seen the high-handedness of auto rickshaw and taxi drivers. That is why people prefer alternatives. Try catching a rickshaw during the monsoon.' They further pointed out the irony in the petitioners' argument, asserting, 'This will stop only when you stop refusing to take people. We have seen on the streets how taxi and rickshaw drivers treat customers—their language, tone, and high-handedness. Each one of us has faced this.' The court criticised the perceived entitlement of traditional transport operators, adding, 'Tomorrow you will say even the metro should not start. It is because of the high-handedness of the kaali peelis that Ola and Uber started picking up.' The court specifically called out the alleged practice of rickshaw drivers forming informal cartels, refusing passengers, and preventing others from taking them. Ultimately, with the bench indicating it would dismiss the petition, the petitioners chose to withdraw it.
India Today
04-08-2025
- Business
- India Today
Bombay High Court raps auto drivers, refuses to entertain plea against bike taxis
In a strong rebuke to auto-rickshaw drivers seeking to curb bike taxi operations in Mumbai, the Bombay High Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition that alleged illegal plying of app-based bike taxis using private vehicles. The court also criticised the city's traditional auto and taxi services, remarking that they often operate like a "cartel."A bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale came down heavily on four Mumbai auto-rickshaw drivers, who had filed a petition urging the court to enforce restrictions against bike taxis operated by aggregators like Rapido. The petitioners alleged that the bike taxis were using white number plates — designated for private vehicles — instead of the required yellow-and-black transport plates, and were thus operating illegally, affecting their the court declined to intervene, observing that the petition appeared aimed at creating a monopoly. 'You want to indirectly take an order and put pressure on them (bike services). There cannot be a monopoly. If a single person has to travel, then it is better to take a bike than an auto or taxi,' the bench stated. The state government had recently notified the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, on July 4, paving the way for regulated operations of app-based bike taxis, subject to licensing, safety, and operational the petitioners claimed they were merely seeking enforcement of the rules against unlicensed vehicles, the bench was unpersuaded. 'Everyone has seen the high-handedness of autorickshaw and taxi drivers. That is why people prefer alternatives. Try catching a rickshaw during monsoon,' the bench the judges pointed out the irony in the petitioners' argument about rule enforcement. 'This will stop only when you stop refusing to take people. We have seen on the streets how taxi and rickshaw drivers treat customers — their language, tone, and high-handedness. Each one of us has faced this.'Criticising the perceived entitlement of traditional transport operators, the bench added, 'Tomorrow you will say even the metro should not start. It is because of the high-handedness of the 'kali peelis' (local way of calling taxis in Mumbai) that Ola and Uber started picking up.'The court also called out the practice of rickshaw drivers allegedly forming informal cartels — refusing passengers and preventing others from taking them with the bench indicating it would dismiss the petition, the petitioners chose to withdraw it.- EndsMust Watch
News18
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Electric Bike Taxis Now Legal In Maharashtra: What Are The Rules For Riders' Safety & Ops?
Last Updated: Maharashtra Electric Bike Taxi Rules, 2025: The move comes days after state minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed illegal operations by hailing a ride from Mantralaya The Maharashtra has officially notified rules for bike-taxi services across the state — the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025 – clearing the way for aggregator firms to obtain licences. The move comes days after state minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed the illegal operations by hailing a ride from Mantralaya, the state secretariat. What are the rules for electric bike taxis in Maharashtra? Only electric two-wheelers are allowed. Petrol vehicles are not permitted. Aggregators must operate a minimum fleet of 50 electric bikes registered in Maharashtra and pay Rs 1 lakh as a licensing fee and Rs 5 lakh as a security deposit. Licences will be valid for five years. Each bike taxi must be painted yellow with 'bike taxi' written in reflective lettering. Riders must provide yellow helmets to passengers, which must be sanitised after every trip. Only drivers aged between 20 and 50 years with a valid commercial licence and PSV badge can be employed. They must undergo police verification, periodic health and fitness checks, and demonstrate knowledge of city routes. Anyone convicted in the past seven years of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is barred from working as a driver. Aggregators must ensure their apps include features such as GPS tracking, female driver preference, panic buttons, and a 24/7 control room. Street hailing of bike taxis is prohibited; rides must be booked through the app. Working hours for drivers are capped at eight hours a day, and the maximum trip distance is restricted to 15km. Aggregators are required to conduct safety training for drivers every three months. The rules empower local bodies — including RTOs — to determine city-specific fares, fleet sizes, routes, live tracking systems, and emergency response mechanisms. The government has also directed that bike taxis be integrated into existing local public transport networks where possible. मंत्रालय येथूनचं ट्रॅप ऑपरेशन – अनधिकृत रॅपिडो बाईक टॅक्सी सेवांवर थेट कारवाई… #PratapSarnaik #TransportMinister #MaharashtraTransport #ActionAgainstIllegalBikeTaxi @rapidobikeapp — Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) July 2, 2025 Maharashtra notification on electric bike taxis after Sarnaik's expose Maharashtra transport commissionerate on Thursday asked RTOs to crack down on illegal bike taxis, the diktat coming a day after state minister Pratap Sarnaik exposed their operations by hailing a ride from Mantralaya, the state secretariat. In a release issued here, the transport commissioner's office also asked citizens not to use such illegal passenger services and urged them to prioritise safety. It also said strict action will be taken against such unauthorised operations if citizens provide tip offs. On Wednesday, Maharashtra transport minister Sarnaik, without disclosing his identity, booked a ride from Mantralaya to Dadar on a Rapido bike taxi. He caught the bike taxi rider red-handed at Genu junction outside the state secretariat. The release from the transport commissioner's office claimed Rapido, Ola and Uber are ferrying passengers without obtaining mandatory permits. The use of such unauthorised services not only violates regulations but also raises serious concerns about passenger safety. it added. Police cases were registered last month against Uber and Rapido for operating illegal bike taxi services, while Regional Transport Offices have been asked to take strict action, a senior official said. With PTI Inputs First Published: July 09, 2025, 13:15 IST
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Electric bike taxis now legal in Maharashtra: Here's what the rules say
Written by Kartika Jamdar and Naresh S Bike taxis are now officially legal in Maharashtra. The state government on July 4 notified the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, clearing the way for app-based aggregators to begin operations, provided they meet strict licensing, safety, and operational conditions. 'Once aggregators apply for licences under the notified norms, they will be permitted to operate,' a transport official confirmed. Services like Rapido and Uber can now run electric bike taxis after registering as per the new rules. Under the framework issued by the home department, only electric two-wheelers are allowed, not petrol vehicles. Aggregators must operate a minimum fleet of 50 electric bikes registered in Maharashtra and pay ₹1 lakh as a licensing fee and ₹5 lakh as a security deposit. The licences will be valid for five years. Each bike taxi must be painted yellow with 'Bike Taxi' written in reflective lettering. Riders must provide yellow helmets to passengers, which must be sanitised after every trip. Only drivers aged between 20 and 50 years with a valid commercial licence and public service vehicle badge can be employed. They must undergo police verification, periodic health and fitness checks, and demonstrate knowledge of city routes. Anyone convicted in the past seven years of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is barred from working as a driver. Working hours for drivers are capped at eight hours a day, and the maximum trip distance is restricted to 15 km. Aggregators are required to conduct safety training for drivers every three months. To enhance commuter safety—particularly for women—aggregators must ensure their apps include features like GPS tracking, female driver preference, panic buttons, and a 24/7 control room. Street hailing of bike taxis is prohibited, and rides must be booked through the app. The rules empower local bodies, including RTOs, to determine city-specific fares, fleet sizes, routes, live tracking systems, and emergency response mechanisms. The government has also directed that bike taxis be integrated into existing local public transport networks where possible. In a key addition to the draft rules published on May 22, the final notification mandates compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Aggregators must ensure user data collected via the app is handled lawfully and securely. The state aims to prioritise rollout in major cities first, gradually extending services to all urban areas with a population above one lakh. The move is expected to boost last-mile connectivity, especially in cities with limited public transport infrastructure, while giving a push to electric mobility. The Maharashtra government in April had cleared a policy under which bike taxis could operate in the state. However, it had not codified the norms under which these services could operate. In spite of the absence of these norms, major app-based vehicle aggregators had started these services. The services were discontinued last Thursday after Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik caught a bike taxi plying illegally near the Mantralaya junction in Mumbai on Wednesday. 'I myself used this illegal service despite the government not giving it the nod. Such companies operating without state sanction will be taken strictly to task,' Sarnaik had said last week, stating that the bike taxi services are illegal. Kartika Jamdar and Naresh S are interns with The Indian Express.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bike-taxi rules finalised, servicelikely to launch later this month
Mumbai: Following transport minister Pratap Sarnaik's recent encounter with an illegal bike-taxi rider near Mantralaya, the home department has issued a gazette notification formalising the rules for bike-taxi operations across the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The notification, dated July 4 and titled Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, mandates that aggregator companies must obtain a valid licence before operating bike-taxi services in the state. Applications from aggregator firms are expected to be received and approved in the coming days. Once the licensing process is completed, legal bike-taxis could begin plying later this month. The rules specify that bike-taxi drivers must hold a valid commercial driving licence along with a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge, similar to that required for auto and taxi drivers. Additionally, drivers must possess adequate knowledge of local roads and routes to ensure passenger convenience. Only individuals between the ages of 20 and 50 are eligible to operate as bike-taxi drivers, and they must undergo police verification at the time of induction. Drivers with criminal convictions will not be permitted. Under the new regulations, aggregator firms are required to maintain a minimum fleet of 50 electric bike-taxis as part of their five-year operating licence. The notification also outlines key safety and operational norms, including passenger insurance coverage of up to Rs 2 lakh in the event of accidental death, and strict fare regulation to ensure charges do not exceed the maximum rates set by transport authorities. To ensure customer service and safety, operators must establish a dedicated call centre or function through an authorised web portal. An emergency helpline facility must also be provided, allowing riders to send distress alerts to the aggregator, local authorities, police, and personal emergency contacts. Aggregators will also be responsible for maintaining robust feedback and grievance redressal systems.
