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The Maharashtra government has proposed an interim regulatory framework for unauthorised bike taxi services , introducing a ₹5 daily fee and a 2 per cent contribution to a driver welfare fund from August 1 as it prepares to roll out a comprehensive Electric Vehicle (EV) Bike Taxi Policy . The move marks a significant shift in the state's approach—from cracking down on unauthorised bike taxis to temporarily regulating them until a permanent licensing system is in place.
Speaking to PTI at the state legislature complex on Thursday, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said bike taxi services have been operating without formal authorisation in Maharashtra due to the absence of a dedicated regulatory framework. He said the proposal has been sent to the state Law and Judiciary Department for approval and will remain in force only until the EV bike taxi policy is fully implemented across the state.
Under the proposal, operators will pay a ₹5 daily fee along with 2 per cent of ride earnings towards a welfare fund. The government believes the arrangement will help create a database of operators, improve regulatory oversight and ensure uninterrupted commuter services while the permanent framework is finalised.
The issue has returned to the spotlight after months of legal and policy uncertainty. Earlier this year, the Maharashtra government initiated enforcement measures against bike taxi operations and even considered action against app-based platforms hosting such services. However, officials later acknowledged that platforms such as Rapido, Uber and Ola provide multiple legally permitted services, including cab and auto-rickshaw operations, making an outright crackdown difficult. The latest proposal reflects a policy shift towards regulated integration rather than blanket enforcement.
Importantly, the interim levy does not legalise bike taxi operations. It is a temporary compliance mechanism until operators obtain approvals under the proposed EV Bike Taxi Policy , which is expected to permit only electric two-wheelers for commercial bike taxi services while introducing licensing norms for aggregators, commercial registration, insurance requirements and enhanced passenger safety standards.
The proposal also aligns with India's evolving regulation of the gig economy . Since bike taxi riders function as platform-based workers, the Code on Social Security, 2020 provides a framework for extending welfare measures to gig and platform workers. Maharashtra's proposed 2 per cent welfare contribution could eventually support accident insurance, emergency assistance and other social security benefits, although the government is yet to announce detailed guidelines for the fund.
Bike taxis have grown rapidly in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nagpur and Nashik , offering affordable first- and last-mile connectivity while generating employment for thousands of riders. At the same time, the sector has faced opposition from taxi and auto-rickshaw unions over permit requirements, passenger safety and regulatory parity.
According to Pratap Sarnaik , nearly 4.5 lakh unauthorised bike taxis are currently operating across Maharashtra, underlining the scale of the regulatory challenge. The government has also proposed making domicile certificates mandatory for drivers of bike taxis and aggregator cabs seeking state-issued badges from August 1, subject to legal approval.
With the interim framework, Maharashtra is attempting to balance urban mobility , gig worker welfare , passenger safety and clean transportation goals , while creating a structured pathway towards a fully regulated electric bike taxi ecosystem instead of relying solely on enforcement.