Mumbai: Rickshaw-Taxi Association Oppose E-Bike Taxi ,Raise Concerns Over Traffic, Employment

Although the state cabinet has recently given permission for e-bike taxis, rickshaw-taxi associations have opposed it. There is also a lack of coherence in the policy, and doubts are being raised by the associations about its implementation. E-bike taxis will now run in cities with a population of at least one lakh in the state. However, associations say that there is no need for e-bike taxis in Mumbai city and suburbs, where lakhs of rickshaw-taxis are already available, as well as facilities like Metro, Railways, BEST.

There are more than 30 lakh bikes in the metropolis, and e-bike taxis will increase the number of vehicles and add to the traffic congestion. While electric and other bike drivers are currently not following the rules, the question is being raised whether e-bike taxi drivers will now follow such rules. While formulating the e-bike taxi policy, the associations had submitted some suggestions and objections to the Jha Committee. However, this decision was taken mutually in the cabinet meeting while announcing the policy. Although bike taxis will provide employment to college students, the organizations say that their education will also be affected.

Bike taxis will be driven by these youth in large numbers. Also, although this will affect our business, there is a high suspicion that the young generation will go bankrupt after chasing money. - Thampi Kurian, General Secretary, Mumbai Rickshaw Men's Union

While rickshaw bookings were not allowed on online platforms, they were available here. Also, there is no proper policy for Ola-Uber yet. It has not yet clarified whether bike taxis will have all the rules like rickshaws and taxi drivers. Therefore, we are opposed to it.
- Shashank Rao, President, Auto-Rickshaw Drivers-Owners Association Joint Action Committee