School Buses, Tempos And Autorickshaws To Join Indefinite Statewide Transport Agitation In Maharashtra From March 5 

Pune | February 28, 2026

Transport unions across Maharashtra have announced an indefinite public-backed agitation from March 5 in protest against the e-challan system, high taxes, toll charges, and what they describe as unfair administrative rules affecting public service vehicles.

The warning was issued under the banner of the Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee, which stated that if the government fails to take immediate positive decisions, transporters will have no option but to go on strike.

Addressing a press conference in Pune on Saturday, representatives of various transport bodies strongly opposed the “oppressive” policies impacting school buses, employee transport services, intercity and interstate buses, tourist cabs, auto-rickshaws, tempos, and goods carriers.

Among those present were Prasanna Patwardhan of the Bus Operators Confederation of India, rickshaw leader Nitin Pawar, Dr Keshav Khirsagar, Rajendra Singh Rajput, Baba Shinde, Rajan Junavane of the Bus and Car Owners Association, Kiran Desai, and Dattatray Bhegde of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Bus Association, along with hundreds of office-bearers.

Key Issues Raised

Transporters stated that public service vehicles are essential for citizens’ daily needs, yet both the central and state governments impose heavy financial burdens through multiple taxes. They alleged that despite collecting cess on petrol and diesel for road development, toll is again charged on roads built under the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model, creating a double financial burden on vehicle owners.

They further claimed that:

• Many toll roads remain in poor condition, yet contractors are not penalised.
• Provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act are poorly implemented, while heavy fines are imposed for minor violations such as “no parking”.
• Fines, which should be corrective, are allegedly being used as revenue targets for enforcement agencies.
• Despite an announcement in April 2025 to shut down border check-posts, several continue to operate, leading to illegal collections from drivers.

Objection to E-Challan Rules

The committee also objected to changes in e-challan rules effective January 20, 2026, under which:

• Complaints are not heard unless 50% of the fine is paid in advance, and
• Vehicles are blacklisted for non-payment.

Transporters alleged that these provisions violate constitutional rights and due process.

Taxation and Structural Reforms

Providing data, the committee stated that in Maharashtra:

• Employee transport vehicles are taxed ₹1,900 per seat annually, and
• Air-conditioned vehicles are taxed ₹6,500 per seat annually.

They pointed out that several other states have significantly reduced such taxes and demanded similar tax relief in Maharashtra.

A key demand also includes the establishment of a separate judicial mechanism to deal with transporter-related matters such as fines, permits, seizures, taxation, and e-challan disputes.

The committee appealed to citizens, schools, and corporate organisations to support the movement, stating that the protest is in public interest and aimed at protecting essential transport services across the state.