The Maharashtra transport department last week initiated special penal action against 57 vehicles of various bike taxi aggregators, collecting a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh
The fares will be applicable across Maharashtra. Representational Pic/File/iStock
Even as official services are yet to be rolled out, the State Transport Authority (STA) in Maharashtra on Monday finalised a minimum fare of Rs 15 for 1.5 km for bike taxis. The fare per km comes to Rs 10.27 per km for the service.
The fares will be applicable across Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra government had earlier granted permission and issued a Government Resolution (GR) detailing guidelines on bike taxis and bike pooling services to be operated in cities with a population of more than one lakh, issuing a notification on the "Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025" on July 4, 2024.
“The fares have been based on the formula of the Khauta Committee, a four-member panel constituted in October 2016 by the Maharashtra government to determine the fare structure for metered taxis and auto-rickshaws.”
The STA, chaired by State Transport Secretary Sanjay Sethi, had decided on the fares at a meeting held on August 18, which was endorsed on Monday.
In a parallel move, three bike taxi aggregator companies -- Uber India, Roppen Transportation (Rapido), and ANI Technologies (Ola) -- have been granted provisional licences for 30 days, officials confirmed. Their continuation will be subject to fulfilling additional regulatory conditions as laid down under the new rules.
An Uber Spokesperson said, “The Maharashtra Government's decision to grant Uber a provisional licence to operate bike taxis is a win for commuters and earners alike. People across the State have embraced bike taxis for their speed and value, and today’s approval allows us to serve them at scale while creating thousands of flexible earning opportunities. We have already submitted our license application and will continue to work with the government on next steps. We are confident that the Transport Department will expedite the registration process for commercial bikes and enhance last mile connectivity.”
The Maharashtra transport department last week initiated special penal action against 57 vehicles of various bike taxi aggregators, collecting a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that many complaints had been received from citizens that bike taxi aggregator services were continuing without obtaining licences in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
