Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik directed the Motor Transport Department to file criminal cases against companies that run bike taxi services without following government rules, an official statement said
Pratap Sarnaik has asked the officials to file cases against companies that run bike taxi services without following government rules. Representational Pic/File/iStock
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaikk on Wednesday stated that strict action will be taken against app-based bike taxis operating illegally in state.
He has directed the Motor Transport Department to file criminal cases against companies that run bike taxi services without following government rules, an official statement said.
It said that Sarnaik said that although the government recently announced its new e-bike policy, many app-based bike taxi companies have started operating without giving proper training to their riders.
According to the official statement, the drivers are using ordinary private bikes to carry passengers, which is unsafe and against the law. Recently, a passenger died while travelling on one such illegal bike taxi. Despite this, several companies continue to ignore government rules.
Taking note of repeated complaints, Sarnaik stated that only the companies -- not the individual riders -- will face criminal cases.
"What happens in other states will not be allowed in Maharashtra. The safety of passengers is our top priority. Companies that follow safety rules and do not exploit riders will get government support. But those who operate illegally and put passengers at risk will face strong action," he said.
Following his orders, on December 2 the Motor Transport Department filed a case at Ghatkopar Police Station against Rapido (Ropn Transport Private Limited). The case was registered under Sections 66(1) and 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, for operating bike taxis illegally.
During inspections by Mumbai RTO officials, it was found that Rapido was offering ride-sharing services using private, non-transport vehicles—something that is strictly prohibited under the law. Private vehicles cannot be used for commercial passenger transport. The company was accused of violating this rule to make profit, the official statement said.
Motor Vehicle Inspector Ravindranath Shrirangrao Deshmukh filed the complaint. The case includes violations under Sections 66, 192, and 112 (related to speed regulations), it said.
The inspection team caught several Rapido bike taxi drivers near Ghatkopar railway station after booking rides through the company’s app. Riders such as Vinod Patil and passengers like Apparao Pidapare were found using the service. Some riders were also found exceeding the speed limit, the statement further said.
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