Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules 2026 notified; mandates licences for Ola, Uber, Rapido

Mumbai, Jul 16 (PTI) The Devendra Fadnavis government has notified the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules 2026, bringing all app-based passenger transport services operated by companies such as Ola, Uber and Rapido under a uniform regulatory framework, officials said on Thursday. The rules, which were notified on Wednesday, mandates licences, prescribes passenger safety measures and regulates fares and driver welfare, and also require every aggregator operating in Maharashtra to obtain a licence from the competent authority and a Unique Licence Identification Number (ULIN). It specified that licences issued under the earlier framework will remain valid for 60 days from the commencement of the new rules or till fresh applications are decided, whichever is earlier. "According to the notification, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA)-approved fare will be treated as the base fare. Aggregators can charge between 25 per cent below and 1.5 times the base fare under surge pricing, while drivers must receive at least 80 per cent of the fare," an official said. Under the convenience fee model, at least 95 per cent of the base fare must be paid to drivers, as per the notification. The government has empowered authorities to suspend or cancel aggregator licences for repeated violations, passenger safety lapses, fare irregularities and other breaches, with monetary penalties ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore in certain cases. Aggregators must ensure vehicles on their platforms have valid registration, permits, fitness certificates, insurance, pollution certificates, cleared e-challans, AIS-140 compliant vehicle tracking devices with panic buttons and first-aid kits. Cabs and autorickshaws older than nine years and buses older than 12 years cannot be onboarded, it said. The rules mandate round-the-clock customer support, grievance redressal mechanisms, real-time GPS tracking, cyber security certification of apps, live journey sharing, accessibility features for persons with disabilities and a zero-tolerance policy against drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Apps must be available in Marathi, Hindi and English, the notification laid down. Drivers must possess valid licences and badges, undergo mandatory training and cannot be made to drive for more than 12 consecutive hours, it said, adding the rules permit drivers to work with multiple aggregators. The rules prescribe penalties for ride cancellations by both drivers and passengers, require replacement vehicles within specified timelines in case of breakdowns and impose higher penalties for cancellation of rides to airports, railway stations and hospitals. Women opting for ride-pooling will have the option of travelling only with women co-passengers, while private carpooling has been brought under a legal framework subject to conditions that prohibit commercial profit and allow only sharing of travel expenses. The rules also require aggregators to progressively increase the share of electric and alternative fuel vehicles in their fleets and include vehicles adapted for persons with disabilities as directed by the government. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the rules would make app-based transport services safer, more transparent and accountable while protecting drivers' interests, regulating fares and creating employment opportunities for local youth. "This policy will mark a significant step towards establishing a safe, responsible, modern and sustainable aggregator service ecosystem in Maharashtra by striking a balance between three key objectives -- safeguarding the interests of drivers, ensuring passenger safety, and creating employment opportunities for local youth," Pratap Sarnaik said. PTI KK BNM