Maharashtra's government will legalise the operation of bike taxis via ride aggregator apps within the state from August 1, 2026 onwards, according to a news report from Indian Express. The new policy mandates that operators must have a Maharashtra domicile certificate to be eligible for permits, ensuring local employment generation as stated by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik in a Legislative Assembly discussion. The minister further informed the assembly that the Maharashtra government will make the domicile certificate mandatory for obtaining a driving licence from August 1, 2026, as part of a new policy aimed at streamlining the licensing process. The draft rules have already been forwarded to the Law and Judiciary Department for vetting, with the domicile clause only taking effect once that clearance comes through.
As per the latest enforcement data, transport authorities seized 824 unauthorised bike taxis between April and May 2026, with 151 FIRs registered and ₹16.25 lakh in fines recovered from violators. This represents a significant escalation from the previous period between April 2025 and March 2026, when authorities seized 221 vehicles, released 66 vehicles after completing legal formalities, and collected ₹2.31 lakh in penalties. The Transport Department, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and Mumbai Traffic Police are jointly carrying out enforcement drives against vehicles operating without valid permits, with authorities also issuing online challans and initiating legal action wherever necessary. The government has intensified enforcement against illegal bike taxi operations, with the minister revealing that enforcement action will continue until the licensing process is completed to ensure compliance with transport laws and protect commuter interests.
Under the new regulatory framework, bike taxi drivers must meet prescribed benchmarks and directives while working solely through approved and recognised ride apps, as per the new rule. These legal obligations include obtaining a licence and badge issued by the government, with every bike taxi operating through an app where services can be monitored for proper regulation. The new policy sets the maximum speed limit for bike taxis at 25 kilometers per hour in view of complaints by women passengers regarding safety concerns. Drivers operating under the scheme would be obliged to hold a valid driving licence in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as well as a public service vehicle badge issued under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. A police character verification would be a compulsory precondition before any such badge is granted. The Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025, include dedicated provisions aimed at safeguarding women, students and minors who use the service.
According to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, up to 4-4.5 lakh unauthorised bike taxi services are currently operating in the state, with the government not receiving any revenue from these services. The new policy aims to bring these services under a regulatory framework through proper aggregator operations, generating employment for local youth while ensuring proper oversight of the sector. The government claims this decision will create new employment opportunities for local youths in the state, with the framework designed to serve three purposes: generating revenue for the state, creating jobs for young people, and bringing an unregulated segment of urban transport under legal oversight. Minister Sarnaik emphasized that the state is not opposed to bike taxi services but wants them to operate within a regulated legal framework, stating that passenger safety remains the primary concern as commercial bike taxi services involve carrying members of the public for hire.
Under the proposed regulations, bike taxi drivers must possess a valid driving licence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, along with a public service vehicle badge issued under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Before receiving the badge, drivers will also have to complete police character verification. Minister Sarnaik emphasized that private motorcycles cannot be used to carry passengers without official permission. As part of the new rules, bike taxi operators will have to pay a daily government fee of ₹5, with ₹2 from every trip being credited to a welfare fund meant for drivers. The minister assured that strict enforcement would continue against those who break traffic rules or run transport services without required permissions. Additionally, 30-day temporary licences have been granted to aggregator companies Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (Rapido) and ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (Ola) for operations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, subject to compliance within one month.
