Following an enforcement crackdown, Pune Police have asked Google and Apple to remove the Rapido app from their platforms due to the company's unauthorized operation of bike taxis without a valid license in Pune.
- Pune Police ask Google and Apple to remove Rapido app over unlicensed bike taxi rides.
- FIR filed citing operation without e-bike taxi aggregator license and safety issues.
- Pune RTA sets rules on fare reporting for all cab and auto-rickshaw aggregators.
What happened
The FIR was registered with Vishrantwadi police station after an enforcement drive conducted by the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO). During this drive, a motor vehicle inspector booked a ride through the Rapido app and observed violations, including the operation of paid passenger rides on two-wheelers registered as non-transport vehicles. The company’s application for an e-bike taxi aggregator license remains pending with the transport department.
Why it matters
Rapido’s unauthorized operations raise significant regulatory and safety concerns. The FIR points to inadequate driver background vetting, highlighting risks, especially for vulnerable passengers. This enforcement occurs against a backdrop of protracted legal challenges Rapido has faced since 2022, including license application rejections and court orders that have shaped the company’s operational rights in Maharashtra.
Moreover, the incident spotlights regulatory efforts to ensure compliance in the rapidly evolving mobility sector. Pune’s Regional Transport Authority (RTA) chairperson has emphasized the importance of legal adherence by all aggregators while also addressing fare transparency to protect both drivers’ incomes and passenger affordability. These steps indicate growing government scrutiny over emerging shared mobility models.
What to watch next
Rapido’s response to the removal request from Google and Apple will be a key development, as will the resolution of its pending license application with Maharashtra’s transport authorities. The company’s ability to align with regulatory frameworks and address safety concerns could determine if it resumes bike taxi operations legally in Pune.
Regulators’ broader monitoring of fare reporting among cab and auto-rickshaw services will also be critical to watch. Ongoing enforcement against unauthorized mobility services could reshape Pune’s digital transport landscape, impacting how aggregators operate and comply within the regulatory environment.