Bike-Taxi Operations Legalised in Maharashtra: New Rules Aim to Regulate Aggregators and Enhance Passenger Safety
Mumbai, 7th July 2025: The Maharashtra government has officially laid down the regulatory framework for bike-taxi operations across the state, following a recent incident involving Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who confronted an unauthorised bike-taxi rider outside Mantralaya last week.
The Home Department, in response, issued a gazette notification dated July 4, formalising the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025. The new policy mandates that aggregator platforms must obtain a licence before offering bike-taxi services in the state. The licensing process is set to begin shortly, and legal bike-taxi services are expected to commence operations later this month.
Eligibility and Licensing Norms
According to the notification, only individuals aged between 20 and 50 years will be eligible to operate bike-taxis. Prospective riders must hold a valid commercial driving licence, a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge, and possess adequate knowledge of local routes. A mandatory police verification will be conducted during driver onboarding, and individuals with criminal records will be disqualified from participation.
“These rules are designed to ensure that only qualified and law-abiding individuals operate bike-taxis in Maharashtra,” said a senior transport department official. “It’s a move towards formalising what was so far an unregulated segment.”
Emphasis on Electric Vehicles and Safety
To promote sustainability, the rules also require that aggregators maintain a minimum fleet of 50 electric bike-taxis as part of their five-year operating licence. The policy clearly outlines that aggregators must ensure passenger safety by offering insurance coverage of up to ₹2 lakh in the event of accidental death.
The government has introduced fare regulations to prevent overcharging. Operators must comply with the maximum fare limits determined by the transport authorities to maintain affordability.
Safety, Service and Emergency Measures
The rules emphasise the need for a strong support infrastructure. Aggregators are required to set up dedicated call centres or authorised web portals for customer service and grievance redressal.
In a significant addition, the rules mandate the provision of a real-time emergency alert system.
“The operator must ensure that a rider can send a distress alert to the aggregator, local administration, police, and their emergency contacts in case of any urgent situation,” the notification states.
Additionally, feedback mechanisms must be incorporated into the platforms to continuously assess and improve service quality.
A Step Toward Regulating Urban Mobility
The legalisation and regulation of bike-taxis is being seen as a much-needed move in Maharashtra, where informal two-wheeler taxi services have proliferated in recent years without oversight or accountability.
Transport experts believe that the new rules will not only bring discipline and safety to the segment but also offer employment opportunities, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
The implementation of these rules is expected to set a statewide standard for shared two-wheeler transport, with a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and service quality.
