Ola, Uber, Rapido Yet To Get Maharashtra Licence: Will Their Cabs Continue Running? | Pune News
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The September 1 deadline is over, but Ola, Uber and Rapido still don’t have Maharashtra licences. So, what happens to their cabs now?
The state’s decision will indicate how firmly Maharashtra intends to enforce its new aggregator rule, and whether the regulations can address the fare-related complaints that have followed app-based cabs for years.
The Maharashtra government is set to review the future of app-based cab services in the state after Ola, Uber and Rapido failed to obtain licences by the September 1 deadline under the state’s new aggregator framework.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik is expected to meet representatives of the three companies on September 4. The department will also consult Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before deciding what action should follow. Sarnaik has questioned why the companies did not complete the licensing process despite being given sufficient time. He said the aggregator policy was introduced last month and the companies should have used the available time to meet the requirements.
The missed deadline, however, does not mean that an immediate shutdown of Ola, Uber or Rapido services has been announced.
What Is The Status In Pune?
The situation is also being closely watched in Pune, where the three platforms have been seeking regulatory approval for different services. According to a report in The Times of India, Uber and Rapido had submitted applications to operate e-bike taxis, while Rapido had also applied for a licence for cab operations. As of now, none of these applications has received approval, Pune RTO officer Archana Gaikwad said.
The Pune RTO is awaiting instructions from the state transport department. If the department orders enforcement action, aggregators operating without the required approval could be stopped from running their services. No such direction has been issued to the local office so far.
Gaikwad had earlier said the applications were being examined and that companies would have to satisfy the prescribed conditions for both cab and e-bike taxi operations. Applications that fail to meet the requirements could ultimately be rejected, meaning the process may take some time.
What Do Maharashtra’s New Cab Rules Say?
The new framework is intended to bring app-based transport services under a more clearly regulated system.
Aggregators are required to obtain licences and a Unique Licence Identification Number (ULIN), with licences valid for three years. The rules also put a framework around fares. The Regional Transport Authority-approved fare serves as the base, while aggregators can offer fares up to 25% below that level and charge as much as 1.5 times the base fare during permitted surge periods.
The rules also seek to give drivers a clearer share of the money collected from passengers. Drivers must receive at least 80% of the fare.
Other requirements cover driver licensing and badges, mandatory training and limits on working hours, with drivers not permitted to operate for more than 12 consecutive hours. Drivers can also work with more than one aggregator.
Passenger protection has also been built into the framework, including travel insurance provisions of up to Rs 5 lakh.
Will The Rules Stop Drivers From Charging More?
This is where enforcement will matter most for commuters. Passengers in Pune and elsewhere have repeatedly complained that some drivers ask them to cancel app bookings and pay a higher amount directly, particularly during peak demand, bad weather or when finding another cab is difficult.
The complaints have persisted for nearly two years, raising questions about whether formal fare limits alone can solve the problem.
The regulatory framework gives the authorities a basis to act against violations, but commuters are likely to judge the new system by what happens on the ground – whether drivers continue demanding amounts above the fare shown on the app and whether platforms take action when such complaints are made.
The state’s earlier aggregator policy had also prescribed cancellation penalties. Where a driver cancelled without a valid reason, the penalty was set at 10% of the fare or Rs 100, whichever was lower. For passengers, the cancellation charge was 5% of the fare or Rs 50, whichever was lower.
What Does The Policy Mean For Drivers?
For drivers, the new system brings both protections and additional obligations. The requirement that drivers receive at least 80% of the fare could improve their earnings from each trip. The ability to work across multiple platforms could also give drivers greater flexibility instead of tying them to a single aggregator.
At the same time, drivers will have to meet licensing, badge and training requirements and comply with the 12-hour limit. Enforcement of fare and cancellation rules could also change how drivers handle trips during periods of high demand.
What About Ola, Uber And Rapido?
For the aggregators, obtaining a licence means complying with a wider set of state-level requirements rather than operating only through their app-based business model. That could increase compliance and administrative costs, while fare restrictions and driver-payment requirements may affect how platforms structure their pricing and commissions.
The companies, however, also get a clearer regulatory framework in which to operate once they secure approval. The three-year licence period provides greater certainty compared with operating without a defined state-level licensing system.
The immediate question is therefore not simply whether Ola, Uber and Rapido will continue operating, but whether they will be given additional time to complete the licensing process or face enforcement for operating without the required approvals.
Commuters Want Action On Overcharging
For passengers, the biggest concern remains the fare they actually end up paying. Siddharth Kumar, a commuter, told TOI that passengers had been dealing with the problem for almost two years without seeing meaningful relief. He questioned why regulating the practice had proved difficult and pointed to other cities where app-based cab services operate without the same level of difficulty.
The September 4 meeting could therefore be important not only for the three companies but also for commuters and drivers. The state’s decision will indicate how firmly Maharashtra intends to enforce its new aggregator rule, and whether the regulations can address the fare-related complaints that have followed app-based cabs for years.
Quick Answers
Ask News18It is currently unconfirmed whether Ola, Uber, and Rapido will be granted more time to obtain their licences. The Maharashtra government is set to review the future of these app-based cab services after they missed the 1 September deadline. To address this, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik is scheduled to meet with representatives from the three companies on 4 September.
Ask News18September 03, 2026, 13:08 IST
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