Bike Taxi Services Set for April Launch in Maharashtra, Policy Finalization Underway
Mumbai, 11th February 2025: The Maharashtra government is set to introduce bike taxi services across the state by April, with the Transport Department having already submitted a policy proposal for cabinet approval. Once the policy is cleared, rules and guidelines will be officially notified, paving the way for the service to launch.
“The cabinet is expected to approve the policy soon, and once that happens, draft rules will be notified. Given that this initiative was reviewed by the Chief Minister under the 100-day programme, we anticipate that bike taxis will be operational by April,” said a senior transport official.
According to officials, the proposed policy will allow bike taxis to operate in all cities, including areas like South Mumbai, which had previously been under consideration for exemptions. The government also aims to encourage women riders, with provisions such as a small partition behind female drivers to enhance safety.
Bike taxis, which typically accommodate one pillion passenger, are expected to provide an economical transport option, with fares potentially as low as ₹3 per km. Similar services are already operational in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
The Centre had approved bike taxis two years ago, granting states the authority to frame regulations and issue licences. However, implementation in Maharashtra had been delayed due to opposition from various transport bodies.
In 2022, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) denied ride-hailing platform Rapido permission to operate bike taxis in the state. Rapido later challenged this decision in the Bombay High Court, but in January 2023, the court ruled against the company, stating that proper licensing and regulatory compliance were essential for such services.
With the new policy set to streamline regulations, Maharashtra is now poised to officially introduce bike taxis, potentially transforming urban mobility across the state.
