Good news! Maha Govt gives nod to bike-taxis in Mumbai; Rapido, Ola & Uber to expand services

In an exciting development for urban transport, Maharashtra Government has given the green light for bike taxis to operate in cities like Mumbai, joining 12 other states with similar approvals. This move is set to revolutionise urban mobility and is seen as a major boost for ride-hailing apps such as Rapido, Ola, and Uber. An official notification, detailing all guidelines, is expected to be issued soon.

State Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimankar highlighted the convenience of app-based bike taxis, poised to ease urban traffic. As per reports, these bike taxis will operate within a 10 km radius in Mumbai and a 5 km radius in other cities, necessitating GPS integration and mandatory pilot registration.

Supporting this decision, the Maharashtra State Government stressed on the importance of implementing the Central Government's 2022 bike taxi policy, despite its approval two years ago, with states responsible for regulations and licensing.

Further, in a recent advisory, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways also clarified that motorcycles are classified as contract carriages, under the Motor Vehicles Act, simplifying national regulatory barriers for bike taxi operations.

Maharashtra has now joined 12 other Indian states in allowing bike taxis, aiming to provide convenient transport and mitigate urban traffic. Despite objections from autorickshaws and taxi unions, the government approved the central government's bike taxi policy, expected to standardise the sector. This includes ensuring passenger safety with GPS-enabled vehicles and mandatory pilot registration.

[With inputs from HT]