MP's new app-based bike taxis will ease movement for tourists
(Sourced from PTI)
The tourists visiting Madhya Pradesh will soon have the option of hiring services of motorbike taxis to easily ply through narrow lanes and traffic snarls. This kind of service was allowed during the Ujjain Simhastha Mela in 2016 to avoid traffic problems due to big vehicles, and the experiment was successful, prompting the state transport authorities to come up with a policy on it.
"During Simhastha-2016, temporary permits for three months were issued for bike taxis. Later, the transport department had come up with a draft policy and invited objections and claims," Madhya Pradesh transport commissioner Shailendra Shrivastava said, adding that the policy is being finalized and is likely to be released next month. These taxi services would be app-based, he said.
At present, the government has allowed only one company in Indore to operate such taxis. It is proposed that bike riders will have to keep a spare helmet for persons who will hire the motorbike taxi, Shrivastava said. "Permits would be granted only after thorough verification of security features. At least 25 bike taxis should be available with the operator for running such services."
According to draft policy, the photo and details of bike driver would be available on the app when someone hires the service. Rates of these bikes would be fixed by Regional Transport Authority. The draft policy also proposed GPS in bikes to track their movement. These bike taxis would be charged Rs. 1,000/year as license fee, besides ensuring the security verification of drivers/riders.
Last year, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadikari had expressed confidence that bike taxis will offer solutions not only for wading through severe traffic congestions in metropolises but could also provide an affordable transportation to people in far-flung rural areas.
