Mumbai Bike Taxi News: In an exciting news for Mumbai commuters, the controversial bike taxis have made a comeback in the city. The Maharashtra government
has officially approved the popular ride-sharing concept. The transport department has announced a minimum fare of Rs 15 for the first 1.5 km, and Rs 10.27 for each additional kilometer. So, if you're planning a quick ride across town, expect a reasonable price, around Rs 50 for a 5 km trip, or about Rs 100 for 10 km. Major ride-hailing companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido are all set to launch their bike taxi services in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). They have received provisional licenses after their applications were approved; out of four companies that applied, three are ready to start operating on a trial basis. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik shared that these services can begin from Tuesday, giving the companies about a month to secure permanent licenses by meeting all government rules. Also Read: Navi Mumbai Airport Opening by Month-End: How to Reach via Atal Setu, Rail, and Metro This move comes after years of dealing with illegal bike taxis, which caused many concerns among residents. To crack down on unauthorised operators, authorities carried out surprise inspections and filed FIRs (First Information Reports) against illegal vehicles. Recently, 20 special squads across Mumbai, Thane, Vashi, and Panvel identified and stopped 123 illegal vehicles, including 78 bikes operating as unlicensed taxis, mostly from Rapido.
Who Can Operate Bike Taxis?
Minister Sarnaik stressed that the bike taxis should be safe and legal for the sake of passengers. Therefore, those who want to operate these taxis should have proper permits, valid commercial driving licenses, a PSV badge, and clean criminal records.
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According to the minister, drivers whose age is between 20 and 50 will too have to obtain a police verification and demonstrate good knowledge of local roads to ensure passengers reach their destinations safely and comfortably.
This initiative aims to provide a safer, more regulated, and reliable alternative for quick city travel making life a little easier for Mumbai’s busy commuters.
