The bike taxis are likely to hit Mumbai roads from month-end, said state transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar this week.

While the bike taxi policy has been released in the form of a Government Resolution (GR), the state transport department is in the process of receiving applications from aggregator firms and groups interested in coming together to avail of the new bike taxi scheme. “We will ensure that complete police verification and background checks are done of people planning to run bike taxis in Mumbai region,” Bhimanwar said.

Bike taxi scheme also encourages more women to come forward and operate two wheelers. Such bikes will be beneficial to women riders booking such taxis over the app. “Over time, the percentage of female drivers should gradually increase to 50per cent,” the bike taxi policy states. To ensure the safety of female passengers, a partition must be installed between the passenger and the driver in all bike-taxis, Bhimanwar added.

The bike taxi scheme has also received cabinet approval on April 1, and will be implemented for two wheeler taxi aggregator services in all cities across Maharashtra — cities with a population of at least 1 lakh.

A joint transport commissioner said a single license will be issued by the state transport authority to eligible entities/operators with a minimum of 50 two-wheelers for bike-taxi permits. “The validity of the bike-taxi permit will be 5 years and all two-wheelers under the aggregator must be 100per cent electric,” the official said.

Under the Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, two-wheeler permits will be non-transferable. All bike-taxis must be painted in a specific colour with “bike-taxi” written on them, and the service provider’s name and contact number must be displayed. “This will make such taxis different from the other two wheelers operated on the road,” the official said. Also, compliance with emission standards is mandatory.

An official from the transport commissioner’s office said the driver of bike taxis should already possess a valid license as per Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and a badge as per Rule 4 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

“We will also ensure that the bike taxi riders follow proper traffic rules and ensure road safety of passengers and other motorists. If anybody is found flouting rules, the licence will be suspended and the bike taxi operator will have to undergo a compulsory refresher course in road safety,” the official said.

As per the rules framed recently, the driver’s age should not be less than 20 years and not more than 50 years. The driver should not drive for more than 8 hours a day. The service provider must provide training to all two-wheeler drivers and drivers must comply with traffic regulations under the Motor Vehicles Rules.

The autorickshaw unions in the region are opposed to the bike taxis and plan to organise a protest outside all RTOs on May 21. Union leader Shashank Rao claimed it will lead to uncontrolled proliferation of two wheelers. Furthermore, it will also cause a substantial impact on the autorickshaw trade which provides short routes and feeder service from railway stations to housing colonies, he said.

Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said, “There have been cases of auto drivers refusing passengers for short distance trips, and if there is a single passenger, the latter can opt for e-bike taxis. Also, why should a single passenger pay fare for three persons travelling in auto or four in taxi. If there is an e-bike taxi, the fare is cheaper and affordable to the rider. Also, he or she can reach the destination quickly and with convenience.”

He further said that the auto unions should rethink their decision to oppose e-bike taxis.

Sarnaik has also urged Marathi youth across the state to come forward in large numbers and join the trade. “The children of auto drivers, after turning 18, can join this profession and we will help them get permits and grants,” he said. He added that the move will provide self-employment to thousands of youths across the state, adding that there is a “guaranteed” monthly pay of Rs 25,000.