An RTO official said there were doubts whether e-bike taxi services would ever begin in Pune. “The policy was floated in July 2025 and e-bike taxis already operate in Mumbai. Aggregators can approach us any time, but they haven’t after the second rejection. We will initiate talks to check the status of their plan,” he added.Operation of e-bike taxis is important in Pune, considering cabbies and autorickshaw drivers openly harass and fleece passengers — unchecked by authorities, said working professional Alok Dhobale. “Bike taxis are a good option to commute a short distance. The RTO, which refuses to act against errant autorickshaws and cabbies, needs to initiate talks with the e-bike taxi companies and work proactively to start the service,” he added.TOI sent queries to Uber and Rapido for an update on their plans, but a response was awaited till the time of going to press.Meanwhile, RTO sources said Uber, Rapido and Ola last reapplied for a licence for bike taxis in early Sept, last year. “It is possible that they are working on their plan and will soon approach the RTO. There is no information or updates from them yet,” another RTO official said.Daily commuter Animesh Ghaval said autorickshaw unions were against the e-bike taxi service and may disrupt it once introduced. “This fact is keeping companies away from the city. What are the police and RTO doing? They have also failed to act against the meter fare charged by cabbies. We are fleeced daily, but no action is initiated. The RTO needs to be proactive to introduce the e-bike taxi services in Pune,” he added.Bhosle said cab companies had been alerted about the misdemeanour. “We told them fares must be charged as per the cab aggregator policy. Any commuter who feels cheated may send a WhatsApp message with screenshots on 8275330101,” the deputy RTO added.
