Mumbai, Oct 10 – Maharashtra’s transport ministry has rolled out a new set of rules that will reshape how ride‑hailing services like Ola, Uber, Rapido, e‑rickshaws and bike‑taxis operate across the state. The “Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2025” and the “Maharashtra Bike‑Taxi Rules, 2025” aim to tighten safety, transparency and fare fairness for drivers and riders alike.
What’s new?
The government says the rules will create clearer lines between app operators, drivers and passengers. They include:
- License fees and security deposits – A district transport authority licence costs ₹10 lakh, with a renewal fee of ₹25,000. Aggregators must also post a security deposit based on fleet size – up to ₹10 lakh for 1,000 vehicles, rising to ₹50 lakh for more than 10,000 vehicles.
- Fare limits – During peak demand, fares can rise but not more than 2.5 times the base price set by the regional transport authority. When demand falls, a ride’s fare can’t drop below 25 % of its original rate.
- Service fees – Drivers may charge passengers a convenience fee of up to 5 % of the fare, and the total deduction from riders cannot exceed 10 % of the original price.
- Driver hours and training – Drivers can stay logged into an app for a maximum of 12 hours a day, after which they must rest for at least 10 hours. Before joining any aggregator, they must complete a 30‑hour training program. Drivers with an average rating under two stars will be temporarily removed from the platform until they finish remedial training.
- Safety and accessibility – The rules mandate that every driver’s vehicle must be no older than nine years for motor‑cabs and e‑rickshaws, and eight years for buses. Passenger safety features include mandatory travel‑insurance options of up to ₹5 lakh, live location sharing, journey status updates and dedicated facilities for disabled riders.
- App language and design – Ride‑hailing apps must be available in Marathi, Hindi and English. Importantly, a driver cannot see a passenger’s destination before accepting the ride, and the app should show the passenger only their own live location and trip progress.
Why it matters
“We want to make the relationship between the aggregator companies, drivers, and passengers more transparent,” Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik explained. “These rules will bring a lot of change in fares, service quality, driver rights and passenger safety.”
The draft rules are open for public comments until October 17, after which they will go into full effect. The new framework is expected to level the playing field across Maharashtra’s bustling app‑based transport market, boosting trust and protecting the interests of millions of riders and millions of drivers.
Source: ianslive
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