Ola, Uber, Rapido Secures Provisional Licences for Bike Taxis in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra State Transport Authority (STA) has issued provisional licences to ANI Technologies (Ola), Uber India Systems, and Roppen Transportation Services (Rapido) for operating bike taxis in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. As per the PTI reports,the approval follows the state government’s notification of the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025.

Fare Structure

As per the STA, passengers will be charged ₹15 for the first 1.5 km and ₹10.27 for every kilometre thereafter. The fare system has been derived using the Khatua panel formula that already governs autorickshaw and taxi rates. These fares will be reviewed after a year.

Operating Conditions

The licences have been given on the condition that the companies apply for permanent approval within one month. Operators are required to follow the new rules, which include maintaining at least 50 electric bikes in their fleet, ensuring helmets and GPS tracking for rides, and setting up systems for passenger complaints.

Earlier Ban and New Framework

Bike taxis were banned in Maharashtra in January 2023, when the state prohibited the use of private two-wheelers for commercial purposes. Despite the ban, some companies continued to operate, and cases were registered against them for illegal services and dynamic fares. The new rules now provide a regulated framework for licensed operations.

Other Applicants

The STA confirmed that 4 companies applied to start bike taxi services in Mumbai over the past two months. Licences were granted to Ola, Uber, and Rapido, while Smart-Ride’s application was rejected for not meeting the required conditions.

Broader Context

Rules for bike taxi services vary across India. Karnataka banned them earlier this year before allowing interim approvals, while Delhi permitted electric bike taxis in 2023. At the central level, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways revised guidelines in 2025 to allow motorcycles to be used for shared mobility under state regulation.

Read more: Rapido Overtakes Uber in India: Bike and Auto Dominance Reshaping Urban Mobility!

Conclusion

The provisional licences clear the way for bike taxi services to legally restart in Mumbai, with fixed fares and compliance requirements set by the state.

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