Pune: Transport Unions Warn of Indefinite Strike from March 5 Against Taxes, Tolls and ‘Unfair’ Rules
Pune, 28th February 2026: Transport unions across Maharashtra have warned of an indefinite, public-backed agitation starting March 5 against what they describe as excessive taxation, toll collection, the e-challan system and “unjust administrative rules” affecting public service vehicles.
The agitation will cover school buses, employee transport buses, intercity and interstate buses, tourist cabs, auto-rickshaws, tempos and goods transport vehicles.
To spearhead the protest, transporters have formed the Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee. Union leaders said the government must take immediate and positive decisions on their demands, failing which a strike would be unavoidable.
Addressing a press conference in Pune on Saturday, representatives of various transport bodies strongly criticised the current regulatory framework. Those present included Prasanna Patwardhan of the Bus Operators Confederation of India, rickshaw leaders Nitin Pawar and Dr Keshav Kshirsagar, Rajendra Singh Rajput, Baba Shinde, Rajan Junavane and Kiran Desai of the Bus and Car Owners Association, and Dattatraya Bhegade of the Pimpri Chinchwad Bus Association, along with hundreds of office-bearers from different unions.
The unions pointed out that public service vehicles are essential for meeting the daily transport needs of citizens, yet operators are subjected to multiple taxes and levies by both the Centre and the state, generating substantial revenue for the government. Despite funds being collected through petrol and diesel cess for road development, toll continues to be charged on roads built under the Build-Operate-Transfer model, resulting in what they termed a double financial burden on vehicle owners.
Union leaders alleged that several toll roads remain in poor condition, but contractors are rarely penalised. While provisions exist under the Motor Vehicles Act, enforcement is selective, they claimed. At the same time, heavy fines are imposed for issues such as no-parking violations, with penalties allegedly being used as a revenue-generation tool rather than a corrective measure.
The transporters further claimed that although the government announced the closure of border check-posts in April 2025, many checkpoints continue to operate, leading to illegal collections from drivers.
Strong objections were also raised to the practice of withholding fitness certificates in the name of retrofitting, with operators being forced to install additional equipment. The unions alleged this was arbitrary and unfair.
Criticism was also directed at changes to the e-challan system implemented from January 20, 2026. As per the revised rules, applications are not heard unless 50 per cent of the fine amount is paid in advance, and vehicles are blacklisted. The unions claimed this provision violates constitutional rights.
On taxation, the committee cited figures showing that in Maharashtra, employee transport vehicles are taxed at ₹1,900 per seat annually, while air-conditioned vehicles attract a tax of ₹6,500 per seat. In contrast, several other states have significantly reduced such taxes. The unions demanded similar tax relief in Maharashtra.
Among the key demands is the establishment of a separate judicial mechanism to deal with cases related to fines, permits, vehicle seizures, taxation and e-challans concerning transporters.
The transport organisations appealed to citizens, schools and corporate establishments to cooperate during the proposed agitation, stating that the movement is aimed at long-term reforms and fair treatment of the transport sector rather than disruption.
