The Maharashtra government has brought new proposed rules (draft rules) for electric bike taxi services. That is, the government is now preparing to implement new rules for bike taxi services in the state. According to PTI news, the government has also invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders till June 5, issuing a notification of this draft rules. The draft rules issued as part of a government resolution (GR) called “Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025” on 22 May are aimed at regulating digital aggregators and operators of two wheeler taxi services under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Electric-bike taxis are approved
According to the news, the Maharashtra cabinet has approved the introduction of electric-bike taxis for cities with a population of at least one lakh on 1 April. It aims to produce more than 10,000 jobs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and more than 10,000 in the rest of the state. Let me tell you, the bike taxi service is for a ride, which uses motorcycles or other two-wheelers to carry passengers.
Only such operators will get permission to work
According to the notification issued by the Maharashtra State Transport Department, only 50 electric bikes with fleet license operators will be allowed to work. The condition for this is that two wheelers should be registered in Maharashtra and should comply with insurance, fitness and permit norms. The rules require a set up of security measures such as GPS tracking, crash helmets for passengers and special driver options for women and 24×7 control room. Along with this, operators will also need to maintain complaint settlement system and ensure police verification of drivers.
Security deposit of ₹ 5 lakh and application fee of ₹ 1 lakh
The notification clearly states that the licensee will have to maintain 24 x 7 control room with sufficient manpower. After obtaining a license from the concerned authority, a person or partnership firm or any registered company can join the business of a bike taxi agency. According to the notification, for the license or its renewal, the security deposit of Rs 5 lakh and an application fee of Rs 1 lakh will be charged. The license will be valid for five years.
Travel distance 15 km
According to the draft rules, a taxi running on the road has been banned and a yellow bike has been required to have a reflex ‘bike taxi’. Also, the distance of the journey has been fixed at 15 kilometers. Bike drivers should have a commercial license and should be between 20 and 50 years of age. The quality of licensed drivers, their police verification and conduct with passengers will be responsible for conduct. Police verification will be done at the time of renewal of driving license and during recruitment.
Provision of insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh
The licensee should ensure that the driver should take security training every three months, do not pick up the passengers from the taxis on the road, do not work for more than eight hours and do not share the personal contact information of the women drivers with the passengers. The draft rules empowers regional transport authorities to set fare limit and impose additional local conditions. It also states that service providers should provide insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh in case of accidental death of the driver and passenger.
Facility to choose female driver for women passengers
The new proposed rules states that the bike taxi service providers will provide the facility to choose women drivers for women passengers in their app, which will ensure an increase in security. The notification states that the speed of the bike taxi should not exceed 60 kilometers per hour and there should be a divider between the driver and the passenger. The service provider should provide security cover for passengers during the rainy season.
Latest business news