In a significant crackdown, the Amboli police in Mumbai have officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) against major ride-hailing platforms Ola and Rapido. The legal action, filed on Friday, stems from a complaint lodged by a Regional Transport Office (RTO) officer concerning the alleged illegal operation of bike-taxi services in the city.
Details of the RTO's Complaint and Interceptions
The FIR was initiated based on the complaint of Motor Vehicle Inspector Babu Teli, who is attached to the Andheri RTO. Inspector Teli stated in the official report that during a surveillance period from November 22 to December 3, authorities found four riders associated with Rapido and one rider linked to Ola operating bike-taxi services without the necessary permissions.
The crackdown led to the interception of several riders. One bike-taxi rider was stopped while offering a ride from Lokhandwala Circle to Versova. Another was found providing a service from Azad Nagar Metro station to Jankidevi School. Notably, three other bike-taxi riders were intercepted in the vicinity of the Andheri RTO office itself.
Key Allegations: Safety and Regulatory Violations
The FIR raises serious concerns, alleging that these petrol-based bike-taxi services are being run without any permission or valid licence, which is a clear violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. A major point of contention highlighted in the report is the potential safety risk, especially for women passengers. The police document states that the antecedents and backgrounds of the bike-taxi riders have not been properly verified by the aggregators, thereby compromising passenger security.
When contacted for their response, officials from Ola Cabs declined to comment on the matter. Similarly, representatives from Rapido were unavailable for a statement.
The Path to Regularisation and New Policy Mandates
Despite the legal action, sources within the transport department revealed that both aggregator companies have applied for a 'provisional licence.' The department has reportedly issued these provisional permits. However, obtaining a permanent licence is contingent on fulfilling the strict conditions of the state's new bike-taxi policy, a process that could take approximately a month.
The new policy introduces mandatory requirements that significantly change the operational landscape for bike-taxis. The key conditions include:
- Exclusive use of electric two-wheelers for providing taxi services.
- Bike registration number plates must be the distinctive yellow plates used for commercial transport vehicles.
This move underscores the government's push towards electric mobility and formalising the rapidly growing bike-taxi segment with stricter safety and regulatory frameworks. The current FIR against Ola and Rapido highlights the ongoing tension between innovative mobility solutions and existing regulatory structures in Indian cities like Mumbai.
