The Maharashtra state government has proposed that online cab aggregators, such as Uber, Ola and TaxiForSure, be brought under the ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act. The move could potentially impact the businesses of the companies operating in the state.Read the entire proposed regulations here. The Home department of the state is considering amending the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and adding a sub clause to include web/mobile-based aggregators: “Aggregator” means a taxi service provider or an operator who acts as a digital intermediary for a passenger to connect with a driver, by means of a mobile phone/web application or through a call centre or by any other advance technology, of a public service vehicle having a valid permit granted under section 74 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 or Rules made thereunder by the Central or State Government.” The state government also adds that no person can function as an aggregator unless registered with Transport Department. "The State Government may, by notification in official gazette specify conditions for such registration," it added. The Home Department also added that a new scheme known as the "City Taxi Scheme 2015" for licencing of taxi service providers including aggregator of taxis. Accordingly, the Fleet Taxi Service Scheme 2006, Phone/Fleet Taxi Scheme 2010 and Call Taxi Scheme 2010 shall be merged with this scheme. The scheme will be applicable to Mumbai Metropolitan Region and may be extended in rest of Maharashtra. Some of the operational infrastructure proposed under the scheme could restrict the businesses of taxi aggregators: -…
