Collector Orders Rapido to Suspend Bike Taxi Services in Pune
Dr. Baba Kamble demands criminal cases against companies operating without permission
Pune : Pune District Collector has directed Rapido to immediately suspend its two-wheeler taxi services in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad after a joint meeting with transport officials, representatives of autorickshaw unions and ride-hailing companies reportedly found that the company did not have the required government permission to operate bike taxis.
The meeting was held at the Pune Collector’s office following complaints submitted by the Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat, the Auto Taxi Transport Federation of India and the Joint Action Committee of Auto-Taxi Driver-Owner Associations, Maharashtra. The organisations had demanded that the alleged illegal bike taxi operations be stopped.
According to the union representatives, the meeting brought together administrative officials, representatives of Ola, Uber and Rapido, and members of various autorickshaw organisations. During the discussions, the issue of the permissions required to operate two-wheeler taxi services was raised. The district collector subsequently directed Rapido to stop its operations, the unions said.
The meeting was attended by Pune Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad, Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosale, Pimpri-Chinchwad Deputy Regional Transport Officer Rahul Jadhav and Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Police Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Deshmukh, along with other officials and company representatives.
Baba Kamble demands criminal action
Dr Baba Kamble, founder-president of the Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat and national president of the Auto Taxi Transport Federation of India, strongly criticised ride-hailing companies, alleging that they were exploiting autorickshaw and taxi drivers for commercial gains.
Kamble alleged that companies such as Ola and Uber had repeatedly placed financial pressure on drivers while prioritising profits. He also accused these companies of disregarding administrative directions and applicable regulations.
“Companies that operate arbitrarily by violating rules must face criminal cases immediately,” Kamble said, demanding strict enforcement against companies found operating without the necessary permissions.
Representatives and office-bearers of various autorickshaw unions attended the meeting and extended their support to the demand for action against unauthorised bike taxi services.
The unions have called for strict implementation of transport regulations and measures to protect the livelihoods of traditional autorickshaw and taxi drivers.
The directions issued to Rapido and the subsequent action by the authorities are expected to be closely watched by transport operators and driver organisations across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
