Maharashtra Government Announces Bike Taxi Policy, EVs Mandatory

The Maharashtra government has officially approved a new policy framework for bike taxis across the state. The bike taxis will be permitted to operate in all Maharashtra cities with populations of one lakh or more. However, the policy mandates that all bike taxis must be fully electric, reflecting the government's commitment to eco-friendly transport solutions.

For passenger safety, several strict conditions have been implemented. For starters, all drivers must be over 20 years of age, and bike taxis must be limited to carrying just one passenger per trip. Children aged under 12 years will not be permitted to use the service. To enhance safety for female passengers, each bike must also include a separating shield. The government has also set an ambitious target to increase female representation among drivers to 50 per cent, though no specific timeframe has been established. The state transport department will initially issue 50 permits to eligible aggregators, with each permit valid for five years and non-transferable.

Safety features are a priority in the new policy, with requirements for GPS tracking, emergency contact facilities and seasonal weather protection during monsoons have also been included. Aggregators must also provide insurance coverage for both riders and passengers in case of accidents or fatalities. To maintain service standards, the policy imposes a maximum travel distance of 15 kilometres per ride.

While Maharashtra has been proactive with bike taxi services, on the other hand, Karnataka is in a fix on whether to allow bike taxis or not. While the High Court did ask the state government to draft a policy framework for the same, auto unions are against this service, for bike taxis have been eating into its service. In fact, 133 bike taxis were seized in Bengaluru by the traffic police last year, just to curb down this service. Similar uproar was also noted in Delhi in 2023, when Rapido and Uber bike taxis were impounded over license violations. Will Maharashtra lead the charge in this regard, and set an example as to how bike taxis should be allowed to operate in the state? We will have to wait and watch.