The move comes two years after the Centre approved bike taxis, delegating the responsibility of rule formulation and licensing to state governments. The state is preparing for the introduction of bike taxis in its major cities, enabling ride-hailing of two-wheelers, which can cut through heavy traffic, save time, and can be cost-effective. Already operational in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai, bike taxis typically carry one pillion passenger and charge as low as Rs 3 per km.
"You can comfortably ride with a small backpack from the airport or railway station. That's so much better, quicker and cheaper than other transport options," said Abhay Kamath, a commuter who has used bike taxis in other states.
Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced that ride-hailing aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido would soon operate under a unified regulatory framework. He has instructed the establishment of a "complaint mechanism" for aggregator vehicles regarding passenger safety, carpooling, licensing and traffic violations.
The move comes two years after the Centre approved bike taxis, delegating the responsibility of rule formulation and licensing to state governments. But implementation in Maharashtra faced resistance from auto and taxi unions, who raised concerns about road safety, passenger welfare and also environmental impact. What they found especially irksome was that bike taxis, classified as 'non-transport' vehicles, were exempt from permit requirements applicable to autorickshaws and traditional taxis.
In 2022, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) denied Rapido authorization to operate bike taxis, prompting Rapido to challenge it in the Bombay High Court. The court dismissed Rapido's petition, citing the need for proper licensing and adherence to regulations. Also, aggregators were instructed to cease bike taxi operations due to the absence of a state-level policy for two-wheeler taxi services. Last June, under then chief minister Eknath Shinde, the state govt sanctioned bike taxis and finalized a draft framework for licensing, registration and regulation.
Transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said the new transport policy for aggregator cabs and bikes would prioritize vehicle maintenance, passenger safety, helmet usage, and safety measures for female drivers. The likely key provisions would include the registration of bike taxi companies, issue of licenses for set fees, and a unified set of transport regulations for private passenger providers such as cars, taxis and bikes. The policy would also encourage the participation of female riders, with proposed safety measures like partitions to separate female drivers from pillion riders.
Autorickshaw union leader Thampy Kurien has urged the state to address five aspects before finalizing the policy. "Only transport vehicles with yellow number plates, akin to traditional taxis and autorickshaws, should be permitted to operate as bike taxis," he said. "There should also be state-approved fare structures, mandatory fare meters calibrated by authorized agencies, comprehensive safety measures, and strict compliance with Motor Vehicle Rules, including the carrying of all transport-related documents by riders."
