Yuva Sena chief and MLA Aditya Thackeray has slammed Mahayuti government over its recent approval of bike taxis. Speaking at a press conference at Matoshree, he accused the state government of privatizing public transport and questioned the impact of such decisions on ordinary citizens.
Thackeray raised serious concerns over the temporary permits granted to a bike taxi company, especially after it sponsored a sporting event.
“How many bike taxis are you planning to bring onto Mumbai’s roads?” he asked. He further accused the government of prioritizing private companies over the public interest, questioning who stands to gain from the move to privatize transportation services.
Thackeray also highlighted the financial burden the decision would place on commuters. “If a 1.5-kilometre ride costs ₹15, it will be unaffordable for most people,” he warned. “We are not against bike taxis, but the transport department is failing to support BEST.” He noted that previously, a 5-kilometre ride on BEST buses cost ₹5, whereas the same distance would now cost ₹15 via bike taxis, putting extra strain on working-class commuters.
The Yuva Sena leader also alleged that the government is undermining BEST by handing over its depots to private contractors. “Earlier, raids were conducted on companies like Rapido, so how has a permit been given to this one?” he questioned. Thackeray concluded by criticizing the government’s approach, suggesting that it is creating multiple layers of privatization that could ultimately harm public transport users.
The Maharashtra State Transport Authority (STA) has approved the fare structure for bike taxis across the state, despite the service not yet being officially launched. As per officials, the minimum fare will be ₹15 for the first 1.5 kilometres, with an additional charge of ₹10.27 for each subsequent kilometre.
