Maharashtra to permit app based cooperative taxi aggregators soon

Mumbai: The Maharashtra govt will soon frame guidelines and permit app-based cooperative taxi aggregator services, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday, describing the initiative as a step towards providing economic stability and social security to lakhs of drivers.The announcement was made at a meeting chaired by Fadnavis at the state secretariat Mantralaya to review the launch of services by Sahakar Taxi Co-operative Limited, also known as Bharat Taxi. It is an initiative conceived under the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah with the aim of empowering nearly two crore commercial drivers across the country. Built on the principle of Sarathi Hi Malik (the driver is the owner), drivers can become stakeholders in the cooperative by investing in the scheme.The platform operates on a zero-commission and surge-free model, offering fares that can be up to 30% cheaper for riders while ensuring maximum profits go directly to the drivers. Fadnavis said the new taxi model will bring social security as well as economic stability to drivers. It will also provide quality service to commuters. He has now asked the transport department to prepare the regulatory framework for app-based cooperative taxi aggregators to operate in the state, especially the Mumbai Metropolitan region. The service would not just be limited to tier-1 cities, but will also be introduced in tier-2 cities across the state.