Bike Taxis Coming to Mumbai: Fast and Budget-Friendly Rides for Just Rs 3/km

Bike Taxis Coming to Mumbai: Fast and Budget-Friendly Rides for Just Rs 3/km
Mumbai is set to transform its commuting landscape with the introduction of bike taxis, offering residents a quick and affordable travel option. With fares starting at just Rs 3 per kilometer, this initiative aims to ease traffic congestion and provide a faster alternative to traditional transportation methods. The Maharashtra government is preparing to launch bike taxis in major cities, allowing people to book two-wheeler rides that can navigate through heavy traffic, save time, and provide a more economical choice. Already in use in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai, bike taxis typically carry one passenger and charge as little as Rs 3 per kilometer, making them an attractive option for daily commuters.
“You can easily ride with a small bag from the airport or train station. It’s much better, faster, and cheaper than other transportation methods,” said a commuter who has tried bike taxis in other regions.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has revealed that ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido will soon operate under a single regulatory framework. He has also called for a “complaint mechanism” to address issues related to passenger safety, carpooling, licensing, and traffic violations for aggregator vehicles.
This decision follows the Centre’s approval of bike taxis two years ago, which assigned the task of creating rules and issuing licenses to state governments. However, in Maharashtra, the implementation faced pushback from auto and taxi unions, who expressed concerns regarding road safety, passenger welfare, and environmental issues.
One major point of contention was that bike taxis were categorized as ‘non-transport’ vehicles, allowing them to bypass the permit requirements that apply to auto rickshaws and traditional taxis.
In 2022, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) refused to grant Rapido permission to operate bike taxis, leading the company to challenge this decision in the Bombay High Court. The court rejected Rapido’s petition, emphasizing the importance of proper licensing and compliance with regulations.
Moreover, aggregators were ordered to halt bike taxi services due to the lack of a state-level policy governing two-wheeler taxi operations. In June of last year, under the leadership of then-chief minister Eknath Shinde, the state government approved bike taxis and completed a draft framework for licensing, registration, and regulation.
Transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar stated that the new transport policy for aggregator cabs and bikes would focus on vehicle maintenance, passenger safety, helmet usage, and enhanced safety measures for female drivers.
The main provisions likely to be included are the registration of bike taxi companies, the issuance of licenses for fixed fees, and a standardized set of transport regulations for private passenger services, including cars, taxis, and bikes. The policy aims to promote the involvement of female riders by introducing safety measures, such as partitions to separate female drivers from their passengers.
Thampy Kurien, a leader of the autorickshaw union, has called on the state to consider five key points before the policy is finalized. He stated, “Only vehicles with yellow number plates, like traditional taxis and auto rickshaws, should be allowed to operate as bike taxis.” Additionally, he emphasized the need for state-approved fare structures, mandatory fare meters calibrated by authorized agencies, thorough safety measures, and strict adherence to Motor Vehicle Rules, including ensuring that riders carry all necessary transport-related documents.