Pune Rickshaw Unions have given the Regional Transport Office (RTO) an eight-day deadline to act against allegedly unauthorised bike taxi operations by Rapido.
The unions have warned of intensified protests if authorities fail to address their complaints within the stipulated period.
The Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat and the Auto Taxi Transport Federation of India have submitted a memorandum to the Pune RTO, seeking action over what they describe as violations of transport regulations.
Pune Rickshaw Unions Demand Action Against Rapido
Dr Baba Kamble, national president of the Maharashtra Rickshaw Panchayat, alleged that Rapido was using privately registered two-wheelers to carry passengers without the necessary government permissions.
The unions claim that such operations threaten the livelihoods of autorickshaw drivers and may cause losses to government revenue.
They have called for an investigation and criminal proceedings if violations are established.
The organisations have also referred to earlier legal proceedings concerning Rapido’s bike taxi operations in Pune.
However, the allegations remain claims made by the unions, and any enforcement action will depend on the applicable regulations and findings of the authorities.
Eight-Day Deadline Comes With Protest Warning
The unions have warned that they will intensify their agitation if the RTO does not address their demands within eight days.
Their move adds to the ongoing dispute between traditional transport operators and app-based mobility platforms over licensing and regulatory compliance.
Autorickshaw operators have raised concerns about competition from bike taxis that they believe are operating without the required permissions.
They want the authorities to clarify which services are legally permitted and ensure that transport rules are enforced consistently.
The RTO’s response to the memorandum could help determine the next steps in the dispute. The unions have made clear that they expect action within the deadline.
Unions Raise Three Major Demands
Apart from action against allegedly unauthorised bike taxis, the organisations have raised two additional demands concerning fares and driver welfare.
Their key demands include:
Action against unauthorised bike taxis: The unions want allegedly unlawful services to be stopped and criminal proceedings initiated wherever violations are established.
Transparent fares on apps: They have demanded that autorickshaw and taxi fares displayed on booking applications follow the fare formula prescribed by the Hakim Committee.
A dedicated welfare board: The organisations have called for a welfare board for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to strengthen social security and improve access to welfare schemes.
The demands indicate that the dispute extends beyond bike taxi permissions.
The unions are also seeking greater transparency in app-based transport pricing and stronger welfare support for conventional commercial drivers.
Bike Taxi Licensing Remains at the Centre of the Dispute
Maharashtra is working to establish a regulatory framework for app-based bike taxi services, making licensing and compliance important issues for operators. Services must meet the applicable government requirements before they can legally operate.
For Pune, the central question is whether the bike taxi operations cited in the unions’ complaint meet the necessary permission and regulatory conditions.
The outcome will depend on the authorities’ examination of the allegations and the rules applicable to the operators involved. Until then, the unions’ claims should be distinguished from any formal findings by the transport department or courts.
With an eight-day deadline now in place, attention will be on the RTO’s response and whether the unions follow through on their warning of stronger protests.
