Mumbai, July 16 (IANS) In a major move to regulate app‑based transport services, the Maharashtra government has kicked off the implementation of a comprehensive new Aggregator Policy. Under this policy, ride‑hailing companies must strictly comply with state‑mandated rules and conditions to operate.

Announcing the decision, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday said the policy prioritises passenger safety, safeguards drivers’ financial interests, curbs monopolistic practices, and creates sustainable employment opportunities for local youth while generating legitimate revenue for the state.

With millions of commuters relying on app‑based transport daily, the absence of uniform regulations had previously led to issues regarding passenger safety, arbitrary surge pricing, delayed grievance redressal and lost state revenue. “This new policy establishes a legal, transparent and accountable framework for all aggregator platforms operating in Maharashtra,” Sarnaik said.

According to the policy, every aggregator company must secure a licence from the State Transport Authority. To ensure compliance, the state will launch a dedicated online portal for real‑time monitoring, enabling GPS tracking of vehicles, driver verification and instant action against violators. To protect drivers from predatory commission rates, the policy mandates that drivers must receive at least 80 per cent of the total fare collected. The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) will determine the base fares.

Strict limits will be imposed on surge pricing, preventing companies from charging exorbitant rates during peak hours. In a bid to promote equitable business opportunities, no single operator or fleet owner can register more than 50 vehicles on a single app platform in major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur. In other parts of the state, this limit is capped at 25 vehicles.

The policy introduces stringent safety measures to protect passengers, with a special focus on women, including 24/7 support, driver limits and ride‑pooling safeguards. Aggregators must establish 24/7 call centres and appoint dedicated grievance redressal officers to resolve complaints within a set timeframe.

To prevent fatigue‑related accidents, drivers are strictly prohibited from operating for more than 12 consecutive hours. For ride‑pooling services, female passengers will have the exclusive option to pair only with female drivers or female co‑passengers. To ensure that local youth benefit from the growing gig economy, the policy links driver registration with local language proficiency and residency.

To obtain the mandatory commercial driver badge, applicants must provide proof of Maharashtra domicile and possess a working knowledge of colloquial Marathi. All aggregator mobile applications and websites must be available in Marathi, Hindi and English. For the first time, the state has established a clear legal framework for casual carpooling using private vehicles.

Citizens can now share travel expenses on a cost‑sharing basis, provided it is strictly non‑profit. This measure is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

Additionally, the policy outlines a phased transition to encourage the adoption of electric and alternative‑fuel vehicles, thereby promoting sustainable urban mobility. “Maharashtra welcomes businesses, but compliance with our regulations is non‑negotiable,” Sarnaik concluded.

“This policy balances driver welfare, passenger safety and local employment to build a modern, responsible and sustainable transport ecosystem.”

–IANS

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