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Policy · Mobility & Logistics

Maharashtra seeks shutdown of Rapido, Uber, Ola bike taxi services

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Rapido logo
Date
Company
Rapido
What it does
bike taxi app
Kind
Policy
Founded
2015
Sector
Mobility & Logistics

What they do

Rapido operates a bike taxi app, offering ride-hailing services in Maharashtra and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region

What happened

Maharashtra transport minister requested an immediate shutdown of Rapido, Uber, and Ola's bike taxi services, citing lack of government approvals and safety…

Why it matters

The state government claims these services violate transport regulations and pose risks to public safety, including inadequate driver verification and…

The details

  • Rapido is a bike taxi app that operates in Maharashtra and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
  • Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik wrote to the state’s cyber crime department, requesting an immediate shutdown of app-based bike taxi services run by Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
  • The minister alleged that these services were operating without valid permissions, government approvals, or compliance with transport department regulations.
  • He called for filing FIRs against the owners and management of these companies under the IT Act and the Motor Vehicles Act.
  • Rapido was specifically mentioned as a major concern due to the growing number of unauthorised bike taxis linked to the platform.
  • The minister cited a road accident in February involving an unauthorised bike taxi near Mumbai Link Road, which resulted in the death of a woman.
  • An FIR was registered at Navghar Police Station in connection with the incident.
  • The minister argued that the platforms were violating transport regulations and impacting the livelihoods of licensed autorickshaw and taxi drivers.

The bigger picture

  • This is not the first time action has been taken against ride-hailing platforms in Maharashtra.
  • In January 2023, the state banned the use of private two-wheelers for app-based bike taxi services, declaring operations by Ola, Uber, and Rapido illegal.
  • Despite the ban, aggregators allegedly continued operating in cities such as Mumbai, resulting in vehicle seizures and FIRs.
  • The conflict intensified due to opposition from autorickshaw and taxi unions, which argued that bike taxi operators were functioning without the same regulatory burden.
  • In July 2025, Maharashtra notified the 'Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025,' allowing licensed bike taxi operations in cities with populations above 1 Lakh under a regulated framework.

About the business

  • Rapido is a ride-hailing platform that connects users with bike taxi drivers for short-distance travel.
  • The company operates in Maharashtra and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, offering a digital solution for urban mobility.
  • Users can download the Rapido app to request rides, track their driver, and pay for the service through the app.
  • The company has separate terms and conditions for customers and drivers, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
  • Rapido's website provides information about safety measures, corporate affairs, and privacy policies.

The deal

Type
shutdown

About Rapido

Product
A ride-hailing app focused on bike taxis, with expanding mobility and delivery offerings.
Customers
Commuters and riders seeking low-cost transport, plus drivers earning through the platform.
How it makes money
Charges commissions or service fees on rides and related marketplace transactions.
What sets it apart
Uses two-wheelers to provide low-cost, flexible urban transport and matching.
Operations
Operates in multiple Indian cities and is building a broader super-app model.

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