News, 3 April 2025
According to recent news, following the approval of bike pooling, Maharashtra has now officially legalized private carpooling via registered apps and online platforms. This decision, made during a recent cabinet meeting, aims to alleviate traffic, reduce pollution, and improve vehicle efficiency in the state.
This move aligns with the Union government’s Aggregator Policy 2020, enabling the pooling of private vehicles and tasking states with implementation. Maharashtra is now among the first states to formally adopt regulated carpooling. Carpooling allows people traveling similar routes to share rides, saving on fuel, reducing commuting costs, and lowering emissions.
Under the new policy, only transport department-registered apps or websites can offer carpooling services. Stringent guidelines ensure safety and transparency, including options for female users to choose female drivers, verification of user identities, and mandatory insurance coverage. Drivers are limited to 14 trips weekly, and fares will be regulated by the RTA, capped at rates comparable to cab services.
Drivers must declare trip details, and users must provide their home and office addresses for accountability. Aggregators must also maintain accessible contact and service information. While beneficial for commuters and the environment, the policy may face opposition from taxi and auto-rickshaw unions, who might see it as a threat to their income.
