The Bike Taxi Welfare Association, Maharashtra, has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis following the recent direction of the state transport department calling for action against illegal bike taxi operations across the state. In its appeal, the association has urged the government to restore bike taxi services for registered riders and introduce a practical, phased roadmap for transition to electric vehicles.
Livelihood Concerns
The association stated that lakhs of riders across Maharashtra depend on bike taxi services as their primary source of livelihood. Any blanket action, it said, risks pushing thousands of families into financial distress. It has therefore requested that registered riders be allowed to continue operations while the state develops a clear and inclusive regulatory framework.
Key Demands
Among its key demands, the association has sought a phased EV transition window that gives riders adequate time to shift from conventional vehicles to electric alternatives. It has also called for subsidised financing, incentives and support mechanisms to make EV purchases affordable for individual riders.
Policy Framework
Further, the association has urged the government to create a separate policy framework tailored to the needs of independent bike taxi riders, instead of treating them under broader commercial transport categories. It has also requested direct dialogue with the rider community to ensure policy decisions are practical, fair and livelihood-sensitive.
The association emphasized that a collaborative approach between the government and riders is essential to balance regulatory compliance with economic stability. It highlighted that many riders have already invested in vehicles and depend on daily earnings, making abrupt bans counterproductive.
Additionally, the association recommended that the government consider pilot projects in select cities to test the EV transition before statewide implementation. This would help identify challenges and refine the roadmap accordingly.
The letter concludes with a plea for urgent intervention to prevent disruption of livelihoods and to foster a sustainable, inclusive bike taxi ecosystem in Maharashtra.
