Bike Taxis Cleared to Operate in Mumbai Metropolitan Region; Minimum Fare Set at Rs 15
Mumbai, 16th September 2025: The Maharashtra Transport Department has given a green signal to bike taxis in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), approving applications from ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The services will begin on a pilot basis from this week, with fares starting at ₹15 for the first 1.5 km and ₹10.27 for every subsequent kilometre.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed that the aggregators have been issued provisional licences. “They will have nearly a month to fulfill the state’s guidelines and secure permanent licences. If there is a rule to obtain a state permit, operators must comply, pay the required revenue to the state, and operate within the law,” he said.
The fare structure has been determined using the Khatua Committee formula, which has previously been applied to autorickshaws and traditional taxis across MMR. As per government norms, each aggregator must maintain a functional call centre or operate through an authorised web portal to assist commuters—an aspect that some companies had been neglecting.
A senior transport department official noted that illegal bike taxi operations have been a persistent issue. “We received multiple complaints of unauthorised bike taxis operating across MMR. In response, RTOs in Mumbai, Thane, Vashi, and Panvel formed 20 special squads to conduct surprise checks. During these drives, we acted against 123 vehicles, including 78 unauthorised bike taxis—most of them Rapido—and 45 other vehicles transporting passengers without valid permits,” the official said.
Minister Sarnaik himself had previously caught a Rapido rider near Mantralaya while highlighting the problem of unlicensed operations.
The government has also issued a gazette notification outlining mandatory conditions for drivers.
To qualify, bike taxi operators must:
Be aged between 20 and 50 years.
Hold a valid commercial driving licence and a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge, similar to auto and taxi drivers.
Undergo police verification and have no criminal convictions.
Demonstrate adequate knowledge of roads and routes within the area of operation.
With the pilot phase beginning immediately, industry observers say bike taxis could offer a faster and more affordable last-mile connectivity option in Mumbai’s congested urban landscape, provided safety and compliance standards are strictly enforced.
