The Maharashtra transport department has taken strict action against bike taxi services that are running without permission in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Recently, the transport department caught 123 bike taxi drivers and seized 76 bikes under the Motor Vehicles Rules. The department is worried about passenger safety and the loss of government revenue because these services are operating without proper permission.
This drive was carried out by 20 RTO flying squads in areas like Mumbai, Thane, Vasai, Vashi, and Panvel. The squads targeted companies like Rapido and Ola that are providing bike taxi rides even though they are not allowed. Bike taxis have been banned in Maharashtra since January 2023, but some companies still continue to operate them.
Rapido tried to get a license to operate legally, but the Bombay High Court rejected it. The court clearly stated that Rapido must stop its bike taxi services. Ola is also facing the same problem because it continued its bike taxi rides without complying with the rules.
These companies are big competitors in the bike taxi business, but they have to follow the law.
Recently, to check if the ban is really being enforced, Maharashtra’s transport minister himself booked a bike taxi ride secretly. This surprise check helped the department catch drivers and companies violating the rules. The government wants all bike taxi companies to follow the new regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. They must obtain proper permits to operate legally.
