“App-Based Agregators will be permitted to start operations they apply for licences under the notified Norms,” ​​Confirmed a Joint Commision of the Transport Authority. Services such as Rapido and uber can now run electric bike taxis after registration, as per the new rules.

Under the framework is issued by the home department, only electric two-wheelers are allowed. Petrol vehicles are not permitted. Agregators must operate a minimum fleet of 50 Electric Bikes Registered in Maharastra and Pay ₹ 1 lakh as a licensing fee and ₹ 5 lakh as a security deposit. Licenses will be valid for five years.

Each bike taxi must be painted yellow with ‘bike taxi’ written in reflective lettering. Riders must Provide Yellow Helmets to Passions, which must be sanitised after every trip.

Only drivers aged between 20 and 50 years with a valid commercial licence and psv badge can be employed. They must undergo police verification, periodic health and fitness checks, and demonstrate knowledge of city routs.

Anyone convicted in the past seven years of drinking under the influence of alcohol or drugs is barred from working as a driver.

To Enhance Commuter Safety – Particularly for Women – Agregators Must Ensure Apps Include Features Such As GPS TRAKING, FEMALE Driver Preference, Panic Buttons, and A 24/7 Control Room. Street hailing of bike taxis is prohibited; Rides must be booked through the app.

Working hours for drivers are capped at Eight hours a day, and the Maximum Trip Distance is restricted to 15km. Agregators are required to conduct safety training for drivers every three months.

The Rules Empower Local Bodies-Including RTOS-To Determine City-Specific Fares, Fleet Sizes, Routes, Live Tracking System, and Emergency Response Mechanisms. The government has also directed that bike taxis be integrated into existing local public transport networks where possible.

In a key addition to the draft rules published on May 22, The Final Notification Mandals compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. lawfully and securely.

The State Aims to Prioritise Rollout In Major Cities First, Gradually Extending Services to All Urban Areas With A Population Above One Lakh. The movement is expected to boost last-mail connectivity, especially in cities with limited public transport infrasCTructure, while giving a push to electric mobility.

In April, the state government cleared a policy, under which bike taxis can operate in maharashtra. Howver, it had not codified the narration under the services Could Operate. Despite the absence of these norms, Major App-Based Vehicle Agregators had started these services.

The services were discontinued from thursday last week after state transport minister Pratap sarnaik caught a bike taxi plying illegally near the mantralaya Junction in Mumbai.

“I myself used this illegal service despite the government not giving it the nod. Are illegal.

Kartika Jamdar and Naresh S is interns with the Indian express.